Atmospheric Plasma - The New Functional Treatment for Films, 2001 European PLC Conference Proceedings

A. Yializis, D. A. Markgraf--Low-pressure plasmas have been used for many years to surface treat three-dimensional plastic objects and polymer films, therefore, the benefits of plasma treatment are well recognized: reduced degradation of surface morphology, higher treatment (dyne) levels, elimination of backside treatment, and extended life of treatment over time. However, the complexity, slow speed and high cost of these contained plasma systems made them impractical for all but the most esoteric applications. Now a system has been developed that allows plasmas to be sustained at atmospheric pressure in a way that permits the surface treatment of polymer and other substrates on a continuous web handling system similar to a corona treating system. The Atmospheric Plasma Treatment(APT) process allows treatment in a broad range of reactive gases and has been successfully tested on various polymer films including OPP, PE, PET, and PTFE. Further, depending upon the dyne level required and type of film, line speeds in excess of 400 fpm are practical and up to 600 fpm have been achieved. Specialty film applications requiring stringent surface morphology specifications, specific surface modification, precise surface coating or tightly controlled electrical characteristics will find the APT system especially attractive and useful.