Improved adhesion of low-density polyethylene/EVA foams using different surface treatments

The adhesion between a polyurethane (PU) adhesive and four foams containing different low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends was improved by using different surface treatments. UV-ozone, corona discharge, and low-pressure oxygen plasma treatments for different times were used to increase the surface energy of the foams. The low-pressure oxygen plasma was the most successful surface treatment to promote the adhesion of the foams. A reduced length of treatment was needed to improve the adhesion of the foams containing higher EVA content. The surface treatments produced a noticeable decrease in contact angle values due mainly to the creation of different carbon–oxygen moieties and to the formation of cracks/heterogeneities on the foams surfaces. After oxygen plasma, removal of non-polar material from EVA surfaces allowed to expose acetate groups which are likely to be important for increasing the adhesion of the foams.