Influence of ageing on adhesive properties of polypropylene modified by discharge plasma

The adhesive properties of isotactic polypropylene with different degrees o f crystallinity, surface-modified by corona discharge plasma have been stud ied, during the process of ageing. Considerable decrease in the surface fre e energy and its polar component was observed. A significant correlation wa s found between the mechanical work of adhesion to polyvinyl acetate and th e polar fraction during ageing. The influence of the crystallinity of the p olymer on the resulting adhesion parameters of aged polypropylene foil was confirmed. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.