Improving bonding and paint adhesion

Q: How Can Low Pressure Plasma Reduce Costs?

Low-pressure plasma reduces costs by requiring a small area footprint. One plasma system can complete the stages needed to prepare for painting or bonding, saving floor space. It is efficient, allowing multiple consecutive processes without removing the product, and has low maintenance costs with no waste disposal costs.

Q: Is the Process Repeatable?

Yes, the process is repeatable. It is programmable and recorded, operates in an enclosed controlled environment, and uses fresh small amounts of process gas.

Q: Is the Process Environmentally Friendly?

Yes, the process is environmentally friendly. It uses very small amounts of process gas compared to atmospheric plasma, involves no aggressive fluids or hazardous waste, and is a dry process with no problems with ozone.

Q: Which Process Steps Can Be Completed in a Single Loading?

Any combination of cleaning, etching, and priming can be completed in a single loading. The process can be programmed to handle these steps seamlessly, with different process gases automatically selected as needed.

Q: What Quality Control Tests Are Used for Paint Adhesion?

Quality control tests for paint adhesion include the cross-cut test and LABS test. The cross-cut test is a standard method to determine adhesion, and the LABS test checks for paint repelling surfaces.

Q: What Quality Control Tests Are Used for Bond Strength?

Quality control tests for bond strength include using a tensile strength tester and microscope. These tests measure the load required to break the bond or peel paint and assess the breakage pattern of the bond.

Plasma process is Dry repeatable and environmentally friendly.

Product can be cleaned, etched and primed all in a single 3 step process.

Parts from powder to large auto parts can be handled.

PEEK POM and alu bonded after plasma treatment

Questions

How can low pressure Plasma reduce costs? Is the process repeatable? Is the process environmentally friendly? Which process steps can be completed in a single loading? What quality control tests are used for paint adhesion? What quality control tests are used for bond strength?

Requirements for good bond strength - Paint adhesion

Compatibility between the adhesive and the surface of the work piece.
Maximal area of intimate contact between the surfaces of the work piece and the adhesive or paint.
To achieve all this with minimal or no damage to the surface plasma bonding/painting preparation is an excellent option. It offers a one-step safe and environmentally friendly controlled process for complex parts or bulk goods.

Advantages plasma processing can offer

Q and A about using Plasma to improve adhesion and bonding.

How can low pressure Plasma reduce costs?

Small area footprint. One plasma system can complete the stages needed to prepare for painting or bonding. Saving floor space.

Efficiency. Multiple consecutive processes are possible without removing the product. One or thousands of items can be processed at the same time.

Our plasma processors can be programmed to complete:-

Cleaning
Etching
Priming

With a single loading.

Low maintenance costs

No waste disposal costs.

Learn more about cost effective

Plasma systems for production

or small

tabletop plasma systems.

Plasma system suitable for preparing products for painting or adhesion

Is the process repeatable?

Yes.

The process is programmable and recorded.
The process is in an enclosed controlled environment.
The small amounts of process gas used are always fresh.

Is the process environmentally friendly?

Yes.

The process is both safe and environmentally friendly.
The process gas is used in very small amounts. Especially when compared to Atmospheric plasma.
No aggressive fluids or hazardous waste. It is a dry process.
No problems with Ozone.

Which process steps can be completed in a single loading?

Any combination of:

cleaning More information about plasma cleaning
Etching More information about plasma etching
Priming

You only need to touch the parts once. The process can be programmed to clean, etch, and prime. With no interruptions, with each step of the process being recorded for quality assurance.

The different process gases are connected to the chamber and automatically selected as needed.

What quality control tests are used for paint adhesion?

Cross cut test

Standard test for determining the adhesion of paint to a substrate as detailed in DIN EN ISO 2409 or ASTM D3359-02.

LABS test

A Germany term for paint repelling surface test. Often referred to as the orange peel effect.

English translation: Paint-Wetting Impairment Substances (PWIS)

Plasma etching before and after etching of POM

What quality control tests are used for bond strength?

Tensile strength tester and Microscope

The load required to break the bond or peel paint can be measured.

After destructive testing the breakage pattern of the bond can be evaluated. To observe if the breakage was cohesive or adhesive for example.

Testing the effect of plasma treatment on Bond strength with a tensile tester

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