Plasma Surface Modification
The chemical functionality of a surface plays a vital role in determining the overall performance of a product. Tailoring the surface chemistry via a gas plasma route enable surfaces to be treated without changing the properties of the bulk material.
The modification process involves changing chemical speciation in the outermost layer of the material without polymerising a coating (see polymerisation for plasma coating). In many cases the modification process is used to provide functional chemistry to allow covalent bonding of a subsequent polymerised layer, making surface conditioning and coating a ‘one-shot’ process.
By controlling the chemical species within the plasma, a range of surface modification properties can be achieved from enhanced wettability or hydrophillicity to hydrophobicity. For example, introducing oxygen into polymeric material surfaces improves bond performance and can promote uniformity of subsequent surface coatings, for example, biofilms, biocompatible coatings, adhesives or other polymers.
Processing is not limited to rigid polymer materials. Treatments for elastomers and metals are also available. These include direct fluorination of surfaces for hydrophobic properties without polymerising a coating and oxide conditioning of metals for bonding etc.
Characterising the changes in chemical speciation, Innovatek Medical can produce highly repeatable processes with known chemistries. These measured chemistries then become part of the customer specification. In conjunction with surface etching, plasma is a powerful media for conditioning your surface.
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