Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
A variety of plasma treatments of polymer surfaces for improved adhesion are reviewed: noble and reactive gas treatment of fluoropolymers; noble and reactive treatment of polyolefins, and plasmainduced amination of polymer fibers. The plasma induced surface chemical and morphological changes are discussed, as are the mechanisms of adhesion to polymeric adhesives, particularly epoxy. Noble gas plasma etching of fluoropolymers produces a partially defluorinated, textured surface. The mechanical interlocking of this textured surface is the primary cause of improved adhesion to epoxy. Reactive gas plasmas also induce defluorination, but oxygen containing gases cause continual ablation of the fluoropolymer surface. Noble and reactive gas (except for hydrogen) etching of polyolefins results in surface oxidation and improved adhesion via hydrogen bonding of these oxygen containing groups across the interface. The introduction of amine groups to a polymer surface by ammonia or amine plasma treatment generally results in improved adhesion to epoxy. However, amine-epoxy ring interactions can be severely effected by steric factors due to chemical groups surrounding the amine.