No abstract

No abstract

Low pressure oxygen plasma has been used to improve the surface wettability of a polyurethane film. The modifications induced by the plasma treatment in the material were analyzed using contact angle measurements. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique was used for surface characterization of the plasma-treated films. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze topography changes due to the plasma-etching mechanism. The results show a much better surface wettability of the film even for short exposure times, with a considerable increase in the surface energy values. As expected, functionalization with oxygen plasma is mainly because of surface oxidation with species like (CÀ ÀO, C¼ ¼O, OH, etc). An aging process with regard to polar groups rearrangement has been observed, thus promoting a partial hydrophobic recovery. Besides functionalization, the surface wettability of the material improves as a consequence of a slight increase in surface roughness because of the etching effect of oxygen plasma.

A low pressure glow discharge nitrogen plasma has been used to modify wettability of a polyurethane film and, consequently, improve adhesion properties to polyolefin foam in order to obtain technical laminates for uses in automotive industry. A significant increase in surface wettability is achieved after the plasma treatment as observed by contact angle measurements. Surface changes have been studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (insertion of polar groups) and atomic force microscopy (changes in surface roughness and topography). Laminates based on plasma‐treated polyurethane film and polyolefin foam show a considerable increase in the T‐peel strength of the adhesion joint; furthermore we can observe a slight ageing process under aggressive conditions (high temperature and relative humidity).