Gas Plasma Treatment of Polymer Surfaces

The modification of polymer surfaces by gas plasma treatment is reviewed. The two regimes of major interest are radio-frequency at low pressure (about 1 torr) and corona discharge at atmospheric pressure. The reactions produced by plasmas at polymer surfaces are due to both radiation and chemically active species created by electron bombardment. The major changes produced are in wettability, molecular weight, chemical composition, and surface morphology. The mechanisms of plasma polymerization and the properties of polymers produced by this technique are described. Finally, a brief outline is given of the industrial applications of plasma techniques.