Surface characteristics of thermoplastic films indirectly modified by plasma under static conditions Oberflächeneigenschaften von thermoplastischen Filmen, die indirekt durch Plasma unter statischen Bedingungen modifiziert wurden

Abstract

This study investigates the surface modification of polymer films, specifically polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene (PP), using diffuse plasma treatment with a focus on the “backside treatment” effect, where surfaces not directly exposed to plasma undergo measurable changes. The primary goal was to observe changes in surface properties, such as the contact angle of polyvinyl chloride, before and after plasma modification, and to analyze the extent of backside treatment. Diffuse plasma treatment effectively actiates polymer surfaces, altering their surface energy, wettability, and adhesion properties. Contact angle measurements on polyvinyl chloride indicated a significant reduction post-treatment, confirming successful surface activation. This enhancement in wettability is critical for applications demanding strong adhesion. Backside treatment, a key phenomenon in this study, was confirmed as a real and measurable effect. It was observed that even surfaces shielded from direct plasma exposure showed significant changes, which can influence the overall properties of the polymer films. This finding is essential for applications requiring uniform surface modification. Image analysis further supported these results, revealing alterations in surface morphology across different plasma treatment models. The extent of these changes varied depending on the polymer type, plasma parameters, and exposure model. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that diffuse plasma treatment induces significant surface modifications on polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene films. The backside treatment effect was proven to be a real and important factor in these modifications, with implications for industries requiring precise surface treatments. These findings suggest that controlling backside treatment could enhance material performance in various applications.