MODIFICATION OF BARRIER PROPERTIES OF POLYMERIC FILMS OF LDPE AND HDPE BY COLD-PLASMA TREATMENT

In the present work barrier properties of low density polyethylene (LD PE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) films have been modified by a rgon cold plasma surface treatments. This kind of treatment is commonl y used to produce modifications on the surface layers of the polymer. The effect on LDPE and HDPE films has been a decrease in the permeabil ity values, with a consequent improvement of their barrier properties. Such effects are strictly related to the operative parameters of the plasma apparatus, transport gas, electrical characteristics and polyme r structure.