In-line plasma treatment improves adhesion for a variety of plasma treatment applications. It increases productivity by eliminating the need for batch processes and eliminates the need for costly and sometimes hazardous chemical primers. The surface cleaning, etching, functionalizing and activating achieved by atmospheric plasma enables and improves the processes listed below.

Printing

Plasma treatment of parts prior to printing enhances ink adhesion. It makes printing easier, and for others it makes printing possible.

Painting

Injection molded or thermoformed parts are often plasma treated prior to painting. Surface treatment allows the paint to adhere and also increases the life and durability of the paint.

Coating

Products are coated to protect their surfaces from harsh environments and also as a method of decoration. Doors, frames, and extrusions/profiles are often coated. The medical industry uses plasma surface treatment to improve adhesion of antimicrobial/antibiotic coatings.

Bonding

Bonding is primarily used to increase the strength of an adhesive. The medical and automotive industries rely on plasma treatment to remove contaminants such as dust, grease, oils, or mold to improve bonding. Typical cleaning solvents such as methylethyl ketone (MEK), trichloroethylene, toluene, or acetone may be used for this purpose, but cleaning agents that leave a film residue upon evaporation will retard bonding.

Labeling

Surface treating caps, bottles and lids ensures that labels will not peel off before complete destruction of the label occurs. Air, flame and chemical plasma treatment of materials like HMWHDPE can effectively improve adhesion of labels

For information on industry specific examples please visit our atmospheric plasma treatment industrial applications page.