4.3.6.4 Thermal Surface Treatment
4.3.6.4 Thermal Surface Treatment
Thermal treatment increases the bondability of plastics by exposing the plastic to a blast of hot air (approximately 500°C/932°F), which oxidises the surface. This method mainly introduces carbonyl, carboxyl and amide groups to the surface, but some hydroperoxide groups are also formed. Very similar to flame treatments, this process also utilises a free radical mechanism accompanied by chain scission and some crosslinking. The improved bondability results from increased wettability due to the introduction of polar groups and interfacial diffusivity caused by chain scissions.