Low surface energy, minimal surface roughness and surface contamination are the main reasons that plastics such as PE, PP, PEEK, TPO, POM, PUR, ABS, ASA, PA, Nylon, PC, and PET require surface preparation before an adhesive bonding process or ink printing process can take place. Polymers also often contain additives that migrate to the surface of the material causing poor adhesion.

Traditionally these surfaces were prepared by chemical cleaning followed by the application of a chemical primer. These chemicals are often an expensive consumable and are hazardous or volatile bringing health and safety challenges.

Plasma surface treatment can remove contamination, micro-etch the surface of the material and increase its surface energy using only compressed air and electricity to improve adhesive strength for gluing, bonding and ink printing.

Plasma surface treatment also has the benefit of being easily automated and easily installed into online processes. This reduces process variability, increasing reliability of the process and increasing throughput.