Adjusting the surface properties of polymers gives rise to many new application areas
for these materials. Surface activation improves the printability of polyethylene films
(shopping bags). It potentiates the producers to glue on polypropylene (chip cards) or
to put a lacquer coating on a car bumper made of EPDM. The chemical composition of a
very thin surface layer is responsible for these properties. Nanometer sized functional
coatings can act as diffusion barriers, constitute an efficient anti-microbial agent, or
a robust carrier for functional molecules on virtually any substrate. Micrometer thick
coatings can switch their properties under the influence of light. Micro-structured
surfaces can have many optical and mechanical functions.
We deal with the surface modification of polymers and with the preparation of organic
coatings. Our background in polymer science and engineering guarantees a high quality of
our services. For our clients we have available the following technologies:
- Activation and functionalization of polymer surfaces with low pressure plasma and at atmospheric pressure
- Plasma-enhanced thin film deposition
- Photochemical functionalization of surfaces, in particular with vacuum-ultraviolet excimer radiation
- Functionalization of polymer surface using gas phase and liquid phase reactions
Our equipment ranges from laboratory scale up to small
industrial scale. We can do plasma treatments in a chamber
with up to 0,4 m3. Webs (films, fabrics) can be treated at a width of up to 30 cm with
low pressure plasma as well as with various techniques at atmospheric pressure.
Supporting our process development capabilities we have access to state-of-the art
instrumentation for the analysis of surfaces and thin films.
Together with other Fraunhofer colleagues we joined our competencies and equipment in the
area of polymer surfaces. We can support our clients in complex projects, too. Please find
more information at POLO.