New Air Plasma Technology Applied to Surface Treatment of Plastics

Advanced technology company APJeT reports that it is applying the air plasma process to the surface treatment of plastic parts before marking or labelling
.
The company says this cold plasma technology eliminates the need for heat and chemicals to increase substrate wettability and adhesion, while reducing safety risks, environmental impact and material degradation
.

The technology is compatible with many types of polymers, including HDPE, PVC, PP and PE
.

The plasma is created using inexpensive gases at atmospheric pressure and industrial line speeds, APJeT explained
.
Plasma systems are designed to cause strong chemical surface reactions without changing the overall strength or other desirable properties of the material
.
By changing the surface tension of the plastic substrate, the plasma process makes it hydrophilic, increasing wettability and promoting adhesion by making it easier for water-based inks and dyes to be absorbed into and bonded to the substrate
.

Bentley Park, CEO of APJeT, said: "When markings, prints or labels must be legible, dimensionally accurate and wear resistant, our cold plasma technology enables the highest performance for HDPE manufacturers with the lowest chemical composition
.
"

APJeT recently partnered with a global infrastructure pipe manufacturer to conduct commercial-scale testing of its plasma technology
.

APJeT grew out of Los Alamos National Laboratory in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where a team of scientists and engineers pioneered the stabilization of atmospheric plasma in a very dense, high-power form for textile coatings
.
The company currently provides water and oil repellent, antimicrobial, hygroscopic and flame retardant finishes to a variety of markets
.

APJeT also recently launched the Covidinator, a disinfection system that uses air plasma technology to sterilize circulating air and surfaces to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and reduce the risk of future outbreaks
.
The company expects the technology to be widely adopted by airlines, cruise ships, schools, offices, hotels and supply chain industries
.