Adhesion of polymers to metals: A review of the results obtained studying a model system

Following a rapid overview of the various mechanisms involved in the process of polymer adhesion to metals, modelling is attempted in order to describe, at molecular scale, the metal—polymer interface in its technological reality. In particular, the concept of an active site is explained and the role of these sites in bonding mechanisms is illustrated. The model is then verified in laboratory using experimental and theoretical techniques appropriate for the problem posed. Electrochemistry in organic environment is used to impart to the surfaces a homogeneous acid or basic character (i.e. electron acceptor or donor) and to set up an intense anisotropic electrical field allowing nonrandom simulation of the fields induced by the roughness of the potential of the surface of an industrial object. It is thus demonstrated that the establishment of a strong metal—polymer bond results from so‐called Lewis acid—base reactions activated by the interfacial electrical field. Finally, the ageing study of the metal—polymer system thus obtained shows that the interface is stable relative to atmospheric oxygen and that vacuum pyrolysis converts the polymer into a carbon fibre strongly bonded to the metal.