Recent Plastics Treatment Research Results

In recent times, new technologies have spurred the development of novel and unusual surface treatment techniques. These methods are often highly specialized and developed, around specific applications. 

In a pilot study, it was discovered that an ultraviolet zone (UVO) based method, which has been developed for surface treating wool fibers, could be used to oxidatively modify polymer surfaces. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and contact angle results indicated that the treatment was effective on PE and a polyetheretherketone (PEEK). It produced changes in surface oxygen chemistry and free energy, which increased polarity and improved wettability of the surface. Composite lap shear tests showed that the treatment gave a marked improvement in adhesion and that an optimum joint strength is achieved at low treatment times ( 1 min). 

Handbook of Adhesives and Surface Preparation, ed. Sina Ebnesajjad. DOI 10.1016/B978-1-4377-4461-3.10007-0 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 

This chapter has been adapted from Surface Preparation of Thermoplastics, Thermosets, and Elastomers in Surface Treatment of Materials for Adhesion Bonding, S. Ebnesajjad C.F. Ebnesajjad 2006 Elsevier Inc. 

C Type Binding Energy, eV Atom, % CType Binding Energy, eV Atom, % 

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