June 2025
www.us-tech.com Continued from previous page Plasma generated from atmospheric air
exhibits strong oxidative properties, making it highly effective for surface cleaning and activation. Layers of absorbed molecules, such as oil and water on metallic surfaces, can be easily removed to improve adhesion. Atmospheric plasma can also be used to
oxidize the surface of plastics to promote adhesion of materials like inks, adhesives, or coatings.
Plasma Pen Selection Atmospheric plasma pens can generate
two forms of plasma: blown plas- ma and corona discharge. Blown plasma is created at atmospheric pressure and expelled through a nozzle using a carrier gas, typical- ly air, nitrogen, or other inert gases. The gas flow produces a plasma plume capable of treating larger surface areas. PVA TePla’s PlasmaPen, for example, can deliver a directed
Atmospheric plasma can be used to oxidize the surface of plastics to promote adhesion of materials like inks, adhesives, or coatings.
beam 3 to 10 mm wide, with a plume length up to 14 mm. Process gasses flow through
the PlasmaPen assembly and are activated and ejected through the nozzle. The patented design keeps high voltages and current safely inside of the pen body, away from the plasma jet and substrate surfaces. The absence of electrical voltage in the plume allows heat-sensitive or electri- cally delicate materials like poly- mers, textiles, or electronics to be treated. “Since the plume is electrical-
ly neutral, there is no risk of elec- trical arcing or damage to sensi- tive components,” says Blaik. Corona discharge plasma is
the other alternative and is among the most commonly avail- able pen types on the market. In this approach, a high-voltage elec- trical field is created to ionize a localized region of gas, creating plasma. The strong electric field enables effective treatment of tough surfaces, and the discharge can be highly targeted, making it ideal for precision surface treat- ments in small or difficult-to- reach areas. However, the downside is
the electrical discharge, which eliminates it from use in heat sensitive materials and sensitive materials. In some systems, corona dis-
charge can be “blown” by intro- ducing a gas flow. This method is effective for covering larger areas or distributing energy more even- ly. However, this approach has limitations, as the plume’s length is relatively short, and the process still relies on the pres-
E CATALOG
Plasma produced from the tip of the pen can be applied to very specific areas.
ence of an electrical discharge. By leveraging plasma pen technology
Page 43 Revolutionizing Adhesion in Manufacturing...
into inline processes, manufacturers can achieve stronger, more reliable bonds, improved wettability, and enhanced perform- ance across various materials. With their ability to precisely treat sur-
faces, improve adhesion, and enhance sur- face energy, plasma pens have become an indispensable tool in a wide range of indus- tries, from automotive to electronics and medical devices. Contact: PVA TePla America, Inc.,
251 Corporate Terrace, Corona, CA 92879 % 951-371-2500 E-mail:
billm@pvateplaamerica.com Web:
www.pvateplaamerica.com r
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