How long plasma surface treatment lasts and the treatment life depends on several factors. These include the material undergoing treatment, such as plastics and metals, the required range of treatment, and the age of your material, among several other factors.
In this guide, you will get to know the answers to this question, plus:
- What is the plasma surface treatment process?
- How long it lasts
- The phases of plasma curing
- The right plasma surface treatment equipment
What Is Plasma Surface Treatment?
How does plasma surface treatment work? The method of plasma surface treatment is all about the cleaning and enhancing of the adhesive properties of various plastics, from plastics to ceramics. With plasma treatment, surface energy is increased, so the material is more wettable, creating strong chemical bonds with stuff like paint, adhesives, or ink.
Plasma curing is usually applied in:
- Automotive industry
- Electronics manufacturing
- Medical devices
- Aerospace industry
- Packaging technology
- Textile industry
- Solar energy production
How Long Do Plasma Surface Treatments Last?
This shall depend on the specific treatment type applied, the material to be treated, and the storage procedure for the material. To better understand how long it lasts, take a glimpse at its duration based on the material undergoing treatment:
- For glass and metals, the plasma surface treatment length can only last for minutes. This is because of natural recontamination, thermodynamic relaxation, material-specific instability, and environmental factors, among various others.
- Plasma treatment for plastics, meanwhile, usually lasts for months. For instance, polypropylene can maintain the effects of the treatment for several months.
- On the other hand, for medical devices, it can last anywhere from several months to years, such as on catheters.
So, Does It Last Forever?
As much as you’ll want your plasma surface treatment to last for as long as you want, as it is also an investment on your part, it does not last forever. However, let’s be clear on this. The effects of this treatment method are permanent. It doesn’t last forever because of decay.
The leading factors that lead to the depreciation of the effects are external contamination, migrating internal oils to the material’s surface, molecular movement that causes treated molecules to rotate or dissipate, and physical removal, such as abrasion or poor packaging.
Likewise, factors from the environment, such as heat, ultraviolet, and extreme cold accelerate decay.
The Phases of Plasma Surface Treatments
To add context to your understanding of how long a plasma surface treatment lasts, refer to the chart below:
| Phase | Summarized Discussion |
| Cleaning | Uses plasma to remove dust and other particles from the material’s surface. |
| Activation | This stage prepares the surface for further processing. |
| Surface Bonding | Lastly, the phase that improves the surface’s energy for bonding and printing. |
Conclusion
How long plasma surface treatment lasts depends on several conditions, such as the material type being treated. For instance, the effects won’t last as they are in glasses compared to medical devices, which can last for several years. The longevity of the effects also depends on the range of treatment, the age of the material, and various others.
To save on the costs of regular plasma surface treatments, choose to partner with KeyLink, a company that provides high-quality plasma surface treatment machines that are tested and proven to satisfy your every need. Learn more about what we can do by contacting us today.
