Plasma Treatment of Fluoropolymers

Henniker Plasma, a leading manufacturer of plasma surface treatment equipment, presents Plasma Treatment of Fluoropolymers

PTFE, and other fluorinated polymers, are chemically inert, thermally stable and highly hydrophobic, due to their intrinsically low surface energy. The chemical inertness of PTFE as an example, means that it is virtually impossible to form lasting adhesive bonds and coatings tend instead to form droplets and 3D particles on the surface rather than a uniform film. Traditional methods to increase the surface energy involve the use of aggressive primers which represent an ecological hazard.

Fluorinated polymers are not readily modified by standard plasma processes. Oxygen plasmas, which are successfully used to treat many hydrocarbon-based polymers, are not successful because the binding energy of the fluorine to carbon atom is far higher than that of oxygen to carbon. Plasma treatment of fluorinated polymers with oxygen plasmas instead causes a gradual etching of the surface, as opposed to surface activation.

The use of hydrogen plasma on the other hand, produces an immediate and lasting change in the nature of the fluoropolymer surface. The action of atomic hydrogen, generated by the plasma, is to react with surface fluorine and remove this into the gas phase where it is pumped away by the vacuum system. Hydrogen then terminates the free surface bonds to produce a CHx polymer surface which is readily wettable. The resulting surface is also mildly-etched on a microscopic scale which produces a microscopically structured surface. Both actions in combination result in a modified surface which may be glued, painted etc.

"Treatment of PTFE with low pressure hydrogen plasma is a very effective method of rendering the surface wettable without using harsh chemicals." - Henniker Plasma

Read the full press release here - https://plasmatreatment.co.uk/knowledge-base/press-releas...

To learn more about plasma treatment technology contact Henniker Plasma or visit www.plasmatreatment.co.uk

Henniker Plasma
3 Berkeley Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1TQ UK
+44 (0)1925 830 771
info@plasmatreatment.co.uk
www.plasmatreatment.co.uk

Media Contact
Adam Fox
Marketing Assistant
+44 (0)1925 830 771
afox@plasmatreatment.co.uk

Henniker Plasma is a leading UK manufacturer of plasma treatment systems for cleaning, surface activation to improve adhesion, and functional nano-scale coating.
Backed up by more than 20 years of experience, Henniker's innovative plasma treatment equipment is trusted globally in both critical industrial manufacturing settings, enabling leading manufacturers to solve key adhesion challenges with a wide range of reliable, robust equipment and innovative processes, and by leading academic research groups helping to support a wide range of fundamental research with inexpensive, fully automated bench-top plasma systems that require little or no expertise for operation.

Henniker's advanced plasma systems are configurable tools that are both robust enough for reliable, repeatable industrial processing and at the same time flexible enough for the research into, and development of, leading-edge plasma processes. They transform materials by enabling a unique range of new properties, including hydrophobic, hydrophilic and biocompatibility, adding significant functionality and value.

For more information about Henniker Plasma visit: plasmatreatment.co.uk

This release was published on openPR.