Vacuum system, design plasma processing

There are many reasons for surface treatment of the fibers. In one process,introduction of functional groups is described. The equipment designed for this process includes a cleaning vessel, a vacuum drier, and a plasma treatment vessel. The fiber is first treated with a solvent, which is subsequently removed in the vacuum drier to remove all residual solvent. The surface is then modified by a plasma treatment. Cleaning removes dirt from the natural fibers and impurities from man-made fibers. Water, hydrocarbons, and halogenated hydrocarbons are used in an enclosed system. Surface etching and cleaning techniques which were used in the past released solvents and other materials to environment, especially because the fibers were not sufficiently dried. 

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