Surface Preparation

• Bhupendra Singh
 Work of adhesion

• The work of adhesion (WA)

• WA = γl (1+cosθ)
• Where γl = surface tension of the liquid,
measured in energy units; dynes/cm
• θ = Contact angle of the liquid on the surface
• The contact angle of a droplet of liquid on a flat
surface is a function of the energy levels of the
liquid and the solid.
Contact Angle Diagram
 Various methods are used for the surface
modification such as

• Solvent cleaning and etching

• Mechanical abrasion
• Additives
• Flame treatment
• Corona discharge
• Plasma treatment
• Ultra violet irradiation
 Solvent cleaning and etching

• Most common technique of surface treatment.

• Grease and dust comes from various sources such as
mold release agent, rust preventives, lubricants, dust
etc
• Solvents used: Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), Acetone,
Methanol, Hexane, Ethyl Acetate, Toluene and other
organic solvents.
• Limitations of Solvent Cleaning Method:
• Many organic solvents are toxic
• Most of the solvents are flammable
• Some organic solvents can dissolve the plastic
 Corona discharge
• The most widely used method for improving the adhesion
properties of the plastic films prior to lamination.
• This treatment is used for various polymers such as
polyolefins, polyesters, polyvinylchloride, nylon and
others
• A corona discharge system consists of
• Generator:Amplifies the frequency to higher value of 25-30 kHz.
• Transformer:Transformer increases the voltage to the required
voltage in the range of 15000-30000V
• Treater
Corona discharge Treater
Corona discharge Treater
Corona discharge Treater
Corona discharge Treater
 Flame treatment
• Heat can be applied by means of
– Hot air
– Infra red radiation
– Flaming
 Flame treatment
• Initiation
• RH Æ R· + H·
• R· + O2 Æ ROO·
• ROOH Æ RO· + OH·

• Propagation
• ROO· +RH Æ ROOH + R·
• RO· +RHÆROH + R·
• OH· + RHÆ H2O + R·
• R’· + O2 Æ R’OO·
• ROOH Æ RO· + OH·
• 2 ROOH Æ RO· + ROO· + H2O

• Termination
• Termination takes place by
• a) Action of Antioxidant
• HA + ROO· Æ ROOH + A·
• A· is inactive
 Flame treatment
Flame nozzle or bar

Idler roller

Plastic sheeting

Gas / Air mixture manifold

 Flame treatment

• a) Flame Intensity
• b) Air to gas ratio
• c) Wall thickness
• d) The design of the part
• e) The type of flame used and
• f) The distance of the burner from the
article for flame treatment
 Flame treatment

• Benefits of the flame treatment

• Higher treatment levels
• Low treatment decay rates
• Suitable for various product shapes and
sizes
 Flame treatment
• Limitations of the flame treatment
• 1) Flame treatment is not suitable for moulded
three dimensional.
• 2) Sheets having thickness less than 0.6mm are
not suitable for flame treatment.
• 3) Melting occurs if the flame is too close.
• 4) Open flame, particularly in or near a painting
operation is usually forbidden for safety reasons.
 Flame treatment

• Applications
• 1) Flame treatment is most often used to improve
ink adhesion to molded PE and PP surfaces.
• 2) Flame treatment is also used for acetal, acetal
copolymers and for polyethylene terephthalate.
• 3) Round containers can be treated on all sides by
rotating the container by dropping it through a ring
burner.
thanks