PLASMA MODIFICATION OF POLYMER SURFACES FOR ADHESION IMPROVEMENT

Polymers have wide-ranging applications in food packaging and decorative products, and as insulation for electronic devices. For these applications, the adhesion of materials deposited onto polymer substrates is of primary importance. Not all polymer surfaces possess the required physical and/or chemical properties for good adhesion. Plasma treatment is one means of modifying polymer surfaces to improve adhesion while maintaining the desirable properties of the bulk material. This paper addresses the interaction of organic surfaces with the various components of a plasma, with examples taken from a review of the pertinent literature.