PROCESSING OF POLYMER SURFACES BY LASER-RADIATION

The processing of polymer surfaces by laser radiation is investigated as a function of laser parameters (fluence, mode of operation) and pro cessing variables (repetition rate, pulse number). Polymers under inve stigation are polyamide, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene, polyst yrene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, styre ne-acrylonitrile copolymer, polybutadiene terephtalate, and polyoxymet hylene, which are studied in air within different processing regimes s uch as modification of surface properties for subsequent metallization and removal of material for structuring of surface geometry. The meta llization of polymers, which are pretreated by laser irradiation, wet chemical etching or plasma etching, is performed via electroplating an d physical vapour deposition as a function of surface properties. The removal of polymers including non-thermal and thermal processes is don e by direct processing techniques in the demagnification mode within o ne processing step. The diagnosis and the modelling of physical proces ses involved in tailoring the surface properties of polymers with lase r radiation have to be implied to improve any application of these mat erials.