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Surface energy changes produced by ultraviolet‐ozone irradiation of poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate, and polytetrafluoroethylene
Author(s) -
Ponter A. B.,
Jones W. R.,
Jansen R. H.
Publication year - 1994
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.760341602
Subject(s) - polycarbonate , contact angle , materials science , polytetrafluoroethylene , surface energy , polymer , composite material , methyl methacrylate , surface roughness , irradiation , ultraviolet , polymer chemistry , copolymer , optoelectronics , nuclear physics , physics
Abstract Contact angles of water and methylene iodide were measured as a function of UV/O 3 treatment time for three polymers: poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Surface roughnesses were also measured. Surface free energies were then calculated using relationships developed by Kaelble and Neumann. The surface energy of polycarbonate was found to increase (∼ 60%) during UV/O 3 treatment. However, calculations on PMMA were hampered by the formation of a water soluble surface product. On PTFE surfaces, the UV/O 3 treatment etched the surface, causing large increases in surface roughness, rendering contact angle measurements impossible. It is concluded that care must be taken in interpreting contact angle measurements and surface energy calculations on UV/O 3 treated polymer surfaces.