Curious about Plasma?
Do you have questions about Plasmatreat, our technology or plasma in general? Then take a look at our frequently asked questions.
If you can't find the answer to your question here, please contact us directly.
What are the main advantages of Plasmatreat’s Openair-Plasma® technology in comparison to other surface treatment methods?
The main advantages of Plasmatreat's Openair-Plasma® technology include:
Atmospheric Pressure Operation:
Openair-Plasma® operates at atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for vacuum chambers. This can simplify the overall setup and make the process more cost-effective.
Versatility:
The technology is designed to treat a wide range of materials, including plastics, metals, ceramics, and composites. This versatility makes it applicable in various industries, such as automotive, electronics, and medical.
Localized Treatment:
Openair-Plasma® can be applied selectively to specific areas, allowing for precise control over the modification process. This can be advantageous when treating complex or intricate geometries.
Environmentally Responsible:
The process typically uses air or other environmentally safe gases, which can be a more sustainable option compared to some other surface treatment methods that might involve hazardous chemicals.
Enhanced Adhesion:
Plasma treatment can improve the adhesion properties of surfaces, making it easier for coatings, adhesives, and inks to adhere to treated materials.
Can Openair-Plasma® surface pre-treatment be used to treat glass?
Yes, it can. It is used often for solar cells, automotive sunroofs and windshields.
What are the possible production speeds that can be reached?
The result of the surface treatment depends on the speed of the passing material, on the effective distance of the nozzle end, and on the width of the treatment area. Partially, processing speeds of up to 400 m/min can be reached. When treating EPDM-/ TPE sections, e.g., the speeds run are about 2 to 30 m/min.
How does Openair-Plasma® compare to other methods of cleaning such as sandblasting?
Sandblasting can remove oxides and contaminants. But if it is a structurally thin material, there is a concern that you are removing some of the substrate by sandblasting. The other concern is all the sand that needs to be safely captured when done with the process.
Sandblasting can clean a surface. But it cannot activate a surface. It will not improve wettability or introduce oxygen into the surface which creates hydroxyl groups that will allow the adhesive to form a more complex covalent bond.
Surface chemistry is extremely important when dealing with adhesives, bonding and thermal transfer.
Can plasma surface technology works on composites?
Absolutely. Normally it is extremely difficult to pre-treat composites because of the differing electrical and thermal conductivities. In the Plasmatreat Openair-atmospheric plasma process, low-temperature plasma is applied to the material to be activated allowing superior surface treatment without any negative effects on composite materials.
By using plasma treatment certain material combinations are possible that might not have been feasible otherwise. This expands the range of materials that can be used, offering engineers more flexibility in design and material choices.
What is the noise level of Plasmatreat’s technology?
78 db – close to the industry standard for hearing protection. The jet usually is housed in a robotic cell which can lessen the noise.
Do you need to apply any chemical cleaners before the plasma process?
No, not unless there was something extreme on the surface (i.e. axle grease). Machining oil or stamping oil is fine. The idea behind the use of plasma is to avoid using any kind of chemicals or VOCs.
How does Openair-Plasma® help increase thermal transfer in EV batteries?
By removing contaminants, and changing the molecular structure of the surface (i.e. eliminating the peaks and valleys), it increases the wettability of the thermal adhesive so more surface contact can be made. Therefore, the cell and the cooling plate are in full contact and air gaps or bubbles (which trap heat) are eliminated.
Can Openair-Plasma® help protect the battery housing from corrosion?
By itself, Openair-Plasma® will clean and activate a surface. To protect against corrosion, our PlasmaPlus® AntiCorr® technology will coat the surface with a thin, vitreous, glass-like layer that will stop the ingress of salt through the oxide layer.
How long does the activation effect on the surface last?
The length of time that the activation effect will last will vary depending on the material activated. The effect is strongest directly after the treatment, then fades gradually and settles at a level higher than before pre-treatment. Under ideal circumstances production steps such as coating or painting should be carried out directly after the pre-treatment. However, activation by Openair-Plasma® shows an extreme long-time stability in comparison to other pre-treatment methods.
