Research
PlasmaProtect
Prevention of additive migration in polymer bonds through atmospheric pressure plasma coatings
Project number: 01IF22500N
Project duration
From: 01.07.2022 To: 31.12.2024Description
The PlasmaProtect research project addressed the issue of additive migration in polymer adhesive bonds, a phenomenon that can lead to stress cracking and adhesion loss. The project focused specifically on two industrially known types of damage: adhesive-induced and plastic-induced degradation of the bonded joint. The aim was to explore effective barrier coatings using atmospheric pressure plasma to prevent additive migration and thereby improve the long-term stability of adhesive bonds.
Throughout the project, a test procedure was developed to assess the stress cracking sensitivity of plastics to adhesives and primers and critical composite combinations were screened. Various coating systems were then deposited, characterized, and tested. SiOx-based coatings proved to be particularly effective against adhesive-induced damage, significantly enhancing both stress crack resistance and adhesive strength. In contrast, barrier coatings based on amorphous carbon demonstrated good performance in cases of plastic-induced damage.
The results offer clear benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): the coated adhesive bonds exhibit increased durability and reliability, helping to reduce downtime and maintenance costs. This opens up new possibilities for the use of plastics in demanding adhesive applications and creates attractive market potential for SMEs.
Contact person:
