Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
This study was undertaken to improve the bonding of fluorinated and non-fluorinated polymers to acrylic and silicone based adhesives. The polymeric materials were exposed to plasma which is comprised of methane and a second gas selected from air, Oxygen and Nitrogen or a mixture thereof. By application of surface analysis (XPS), the optimized functionality can be incorporated in the surface of desired polymers to enhance the bond ability of prepared films for pressure sensitive tape applications. Perfluoroalkoxy-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer PFA, fluorinated ethylene-propylene FEP, Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE, and Polyester materials were exposed to this plasma. The treated samples were coated with adhesives and the adhesion to steel, holding power and other properties associated with tapes performance were studied.