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Improving the surface quality of recycled components with plasma coating
In a joint research project, the SKZ Plastics Centre and the Fraunhofer IFAM are investigating the possibilities for improving the surface properties of recycled plastics with regard to adhesive applications. Activation and coating processes with atmospheric pressure plasma serve as the means of choice for this.
07/11/2022
Plastic components made from recycled material or with a defined proportion of recycled material often exhibit considerable fluctuations in their material composition due to the material and process, which leads to inhomogeneous and fluctuating surface properties. The reasons for this are a varying molecular weight distribution of the recycled plastic, the loss of stabilisers and other functional additives as well as the possible contamination with foreign material. As a result, downstream process steps - such as bonding, painting, printing and coating - are prevented or made more difficult, as these are based on defined and consistently adhesion-friendly surface qualities.
The aim of this project is to favour the use of recycled materials for surface-specific manufacturing processes by adapting the surface properties. This is to be achieved by atmospheric pressure plasma pre-treatment processes and deposition of an adhesion-promoting layer by means of plasma polymerisation (PECVD – Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition). The surface variance of the recyclate surfaces is levelled out so that an increase in adhesion is achieved for subsequent bonding. In addition, a migration barrier for additives from the recyclates is possible. Interested companies are welcome to contact the SKZ with specific questions and suggestions.
Project 22619 N of the FSKZ e.V. research association is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) as part of the programme for the promotion of joint industrial research (IGF) on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag.
The project is funded by the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF) as part of the programme for the promotion of joint industrial research (IGF).
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