PLASMA MODIFICATION OF POLYMER SURFACES FOR ADHESION IMPROVEMENT

Polymers have wide-ranging applications in food packaging and decorati ve products, and as insulation for electronic devices. For these appli cations, the adhesion of materials deposited onto polymer substrates i s of primary importance. Not all polymer surfaces possess the required physical and/or chemical properties for good adhesion. Plasma treatme nt is one means of modifying polymer surfaces to improve adhesion whil e maintaining the desirable properties of the bulk material. This pape r addresses the interaction of organic surfaces with the various compo nents of a plasma, with examples taken from a review of the pertinent literature.