P. Laurens et al., Laser-induced surface modifications of poly(ether ether ketone): influenceof the excimer laser wavelength, J ADHES SCI, 13(9), 1999, pp. 983-997
The modifications induced by excimer laser irradiation of poly(ether ether
ketone) (PEEK) surfaces have been investigated as a function of the laser p
rocess parameters for laser fluences below the material ablation threshold.
In the case of 193 nm laser treatment, a significant increase in the adhes
ion properties of PEEK was obtained due to the formation of new polar and r
eactive groups on the surface. The extent of these reactive groups has to b
e controlled since their presence in high concentration may also have a neg
ative effect on the mechanical properties of the treated surface. Laser tre
atments using 248 nm radiation did not result in a significant increase in
the adhesion properties of PEEK. This probably results from thermal degrada
tion of the surface at this laser wavelength.