Plasma Surface Modification for Cleaning and Adhesion, 1998 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings

As manufacturers scramble to find surface cleaning and modification processes that will ensure successul products, they are presented with a variety of choices. Recent advances in the use of polymers and the resulting need for hydrophilic surfaces for adequate adhesion has fueled the development of the plasma surface modification industry. Also as component and circuit size continues to shrink, plasma gas treatment is fast becoming the method of choice for cleaning electronic components and BGA’s.

Plasma treatment for surface modification is used to produce hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfaces on metals, plastics, glass or polymers. Teflon and metal surface modification for enhanced adhesion are examples of applications described.

To understand the effects of plasma it is important to first understand what is plasma and how does it effect the surface of material? This paper will first address what plasma consists of and how it is generated. There will also be a discussion of the equipment commercially available and how to evaluate performance.