Characterization of plasma treatment on high density polyethylene surface wettability and adhesion

Polymers are distinguished by their low density, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. However, their surface properties often do not meet the demands regarding wettability or adhesion. Low surface energy and nonpolar property limit the applications owing the lack of adhesion. There are many wetting and adhesion issues which require an additional surface processing to enhance interfacial surface properties. One way of increasing surface energy and reactivity is to bombard a polymer surface with plasma. Different plasma treatments in a RF discharge are used to etch, cross-link, and activate polymers. The gas type and the plasma conditions must be adjusted to minimize degradation and aging effects on surface. The latter plasmas generate wide range of reactive species in the system, which undergo consecutive chemical reactions, creating thus several oxygen based functionalities at the interface (carbonyl, peroxide etc.). In this paper, we will study the role of plasma to achieve wettability and improve adhesion.