Improved adhesion of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) by NH3-plasma treatment

Abstract

Abstract —Surface modification of poly(tetrafluor oethylene) (PTFE) by NH3-plasma treatment was investigated by means of contact angle measurement, XPS, and ATR FT/IR spectroscopy. The modified surfaces were adhesively bonded to nitril rubber. The NH3-plasma irradiation made PTFE surfaces hydrophilic. The contact angle of water on the modified PTFE surface was 16 deg, and the surface energy was 62-63 mJ/m2. The NH3-plasma irradiation improved adhesion between PTFE and nitril rubber using a phenol-type adhesive. The peel strength of the joints reached 8.1 × 103 N/m. Carbonyl and amido groups were created on PTFE surfaces by the NH3-plasma irradiation. The mechanism of the improvement of adhesion by the NH3-plasma irradiation is discussed. Keywords: Adhesionpoly(tetrafluoroethylene)plasma treatmenthydrophilic-surface modificationcontact angleATR FT/IRXPST-peel test