PLASMA TREATMENTS OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS AND AL-ALLOY FOR ADHESIVE BONDING

Cold plasma treatments to modify the surface properties of polymeric m aterials (polyoxyphenylene-polyammide, polycarbonate-ABS) and Al 6061 alloy, have been performed with the aim of increasing the surface adhe sion in structural joints. An experimental told plasma generator worki ng in flow gas (Ar, O-2, N-2) was employed to obtain a localised treat ment. Some conventional surface treatments have been employed to compa re the results. Joint strength and morphology fracture analysis of the surfaces were done. Results show that cold plasma treatments with oxy gen gas lead to higher shear strength and low data dispersion with hig h quality of the joint. Morphological analysis reveals the different f racture modes to correlate with the surface treatments. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science S.A.