In the simplest of terms, plasma cleaning is preferred by several industries today because of its high-efficiency in gearing up surfaces for bonding, coating, painting, or printing.
This method uses systems free of solvents and based on water, taking away the need to utilize chemical-based primers or mechanical pre-treatment methods, such as brushing.
Scientifically speaking, plasma cleaning involves the use of plasma to remove organic and inorganic substances from the surfaces it treats by flowing them through high-energy ions and reactive species.
But, did you know that this cleaning approach is also effective to remove contamination? This way, the products you manufacture in your industries remain favorable for your clientele, customers, and consumers. Find out more about this dynamics in this piece, tackling the following points:
– Contamination in precision industries: Sources of contamination, negative effects, and the urgent need for effective cleaning methods
– Plasma cleaning 101: Interaction with contaminants, advantages over others, and best applications
– Innovative solutions from KeyLink, our brand + case studies
Introduction to Contamination in Precision Industries
There could be various awful sources of contamination in the field of manufacturing, and these, of course, can have negative effects on bonding, coating, and printing. Learn about these, plus the urgent need to efficiently remove contamination as you read on.
Common Sources of Contamination in Manufacturing
The primary contamination sources are:
- Human work
- Materials
- Equipment
- Environmental factors
Also contributing are:
- Error from manpower
- Improper cleaning
- Inadequate hygiene
Adverse Effects on Bonding, Coating, and Printing
Contamination can go all over the place, affecting the bonding, coating, and printing processes in these ways:
- Effects on bonding: Contaminants reduce the strength of bonds, since they interfere with wetting plus adhesion mechanisms in the process of bonding.
- Effects on coating: Uneven coatings result from surface contamination, causing poor coverage and durability.
- Effects on printing: Contamination also affects printing. Think of when there are dust particles stuck in your computer printer.
The Urgent Need to Remove Contamination Efficiently
With those being said, the urgent need for the efficient removal of surface contaminants cannot be underscored. This is crucial to maintain the high-quality of products, prevent suddent equipment damage, and avoid expensive recalls. Here is where plasma cleaning enters the scene.
Plasma Cleaning for the Removal of Surface Contaminants
To recap, plasma cleaning refers to the removal of surface contaminants and impurities via utilizing energetic plasma or dielectric barrier discharge plasma stemming from gaseous species. Present are argon and oxygen gases, including air, hydrogen, and nitrogen mixtures. How do these become possible?
How Plasma Interacts With Contaminants at a Molecular Level
There are various mechanisms that come into play with regard to how plasma interacts with contaminants at a molecular level. Reactive species and highly energetic particles are involved, which the plasma generates.
Those elements directly interact with the molecules of the contaminants, causing breakdown or alteration, modifying the properties of materials on which the contaminants live.
Advantages Over Solvent-Based Cleaning
- There is zero liquid in plasma cleaning, so any moisture-related damage is kept at bay, simplifying the handling in industries.
- Plasma cleaning leaves minimal residue on surfaces, so materials are in tiptop shape and spic-and-span. Plus, optimal adhesion, guaranteed.
- This method is sustainable. Hazardous chemicals are not present, thereby preventing environmental pollution, unlike the impacts of solvent-based cleaning.
Best Usages in Industrial Settings
Plasma cleaning, such as what the KeyLink catalog offers, is used in the following:
- Packaging
- Printing
- Wiring and cabling
- Consumer goods
- Electronics
- Automotive
- Medical and healthcare, and more
PL-A6150 Plasma Surface Treatment Platform (automatic)
More DetailsKeyLink’s Plasma Solutions
KeyLink is a global leader in plasma cleaning equipment manufacturing. Headquartered in beautiful China, it provides suitable systems for high-precision cleaning. Take our PL-A6150 as your example.
A real automatic system, this easy-to-use and -operate equipment comes equipped with a touchscreeen interface so you can treat various materials and products in no time. This is very useful in the arena of 3C electronic accessories as a pre-treatment for smartphone screens, for the cleaning and printing of phone covers, and several other related products and materials.
Plus, you’ll adore it for its integration into automated lines for the consistent removal of surface contaminants.
Case Study: The Semiconductor Industry
Semiconductor industries are among the toughest users of this method. Semiconductor manufacturers use plasma cleaning to take away surface oxides from palladium bonding pads coated in gold, largely reducing bonding failures and boosting wire bonding yield. This clearly shows the effectiveness of plasma cleaning in enhancing adhesion and package reliability.
Conclusion
There is no reason why your industry shouldn’t invest in the best of plasma cleaning. It is not just an innovation, not just a breakthrough, but an advanced tool for the removal of surface contaminants. Precisely what you need to present your industry in its best feet forward for its clientele.
When it comes to effective plasma cleaning, KeyLink, our brand, is at the forefront. We’ve been in the business for years, so we know the intricacies of your industry, perhaps more than you do. We help customers achieve reliable, clean surfaces with so much ease, thanks to our plasma surface treatment systems. Find out more about our catalog by speaking with our team now.
