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Effects of surface plasma treatment on tribology of thermoplastic polymers
Author(s) -
Bismarck Alexander,
Brostow Witold,
Chiu Rachel,
Hagg Lobland Haley E.,
Ho Kingsley K.C.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.21103
Subject(s) - low density polyethylene , materials science , tribology , polypropylene , wetting , composite material , polystyrene , scratch , contact angle , polymer , surface modification , polyethylene , thermoplastic elastomer , thermoplastic , polyolefin , polycarbonate , chemical engineering , layer (electronics) , copolymer , engineering
We have subjected polycarbonate (PC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and Hytrel® (HY, a thermoplastic elastomer) to atmospheric pressure oxygen plasma treatment for varying amounts of time. Effects of the treatment have been evaluated in terms of the water wetting angle, dynamic friction, scratch resistance, and sliding wear. Although PS, PP, and HY do not undergo significant tribological changes as a result of the interaction with plasma, PC and LDPE show more pronounced and useful effects, such as a lowering of dynamic friction in PC and wear reduction in LDPE. These results can be explained in terms of the changes in chemical structures and increase of hydrophilicity. Based on the effects of oxygen plasma treatment on PC and LDPE, these two polymers have been subjected to longer oxygen plasma treatments and to argon, nitrogen, and air plasmas. Resulting effects on friction and scratch resistance are compared to determine the mechanisms responsible for the various surface behaviors. Chemical surface modification—as represented by changing contact angles—contributes to the tribological responses. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers