Surface modification of EPDM in r.f. plasma: Process optimization and surface characterization

Abstract

Due to the excellent thermal and mechanical properties, the EPDM rubber is used as protective film in the aerospace industry. However, its chemical composition and structure do not allow good adhesive properties, making necessary a surface treatment to improve adhesion properties. Most of the conventional chemical methods make use pollutant solvents. Cold plasma is a clean technology that becomes an important alternative for treating these material surfaces. In this work we present a study of the EPDM rubber surface treatment by plasma. The process was conducted in a RIE plasma system excited by r.f. power using N 2 and Ar gas mixtures. A significant improvement of the surface properties regarding to the adhesion properties was obtained. An optimization of the plasma parameters, such as gas ratio mixture, rf power, total gas pressure and treatment time is presented. The rubber surface properties were analyzed by goniometry and AFM. © 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.