Fluorination improves the surface properties of …

1 Fluorination improves the surface properties of plasticsJob order productionfor your successLong-term stability with no dimensional changes Improved surface wettabilityReduced friction and stickinessBetter bonding and adhesionLess permeation, diffusion and migrationPlastics are selected primarily according totheir mechanical and thermal properties ,their suitability for processing and theirprice. Then, after careful selection, it s oftenfound that the surface doesn t meet require-ments. However, the surface is the only ma-terial property that can be changed inde-pendently.

2 Very often, gas-phase fluorinationis the solution of reaction Plastic surfaces are fluorinated by exposingthem to a fluorine mixture. Due to its highreactivity, fluorine partially replaces hydro-gen atoms in the material surface . Its prop-erties are modified mainly by the highersurface energy and the surface process control allows the resultof the Fluorination process to be optimallyadjusted to the original polymer and thespecified is a chemical reaction, not acoating. Accordingly, fluorine atoms pene-trate the substrate s molecular process doesn t affect the properties ofthe base material, and its dimensions re-main processAll relevant treatment parameters are ad-justed to the product and the specific ob-jective of the treatment during a test values obtained are then applied as aformula for series following relevant process parametersare controlled automatically and repro-ducibly.

3 Fluorine concentration Treatment duration Process temperatureNon-fluorinated unpolar polymer chainFluorinated polar polymer chainFHFF2++++++ +++Offline batch fluorinationThree-dimensional parts are treated in adiscontinuous process. They are pre-treatedin a vacuum chamber according to the for-mula specifically developed for the pur-pose. Small parts of only a few mm in sizeare fed into the cylindrical chamber as bulkmaterial. The cube-shaped chamber acceptslarger or mechanically sensitive parts incrates, grid boxes or transport units.

4 Thesemay fill the chamber almost industries Significant new properties are created onthe surfaces of parts and materials, and of-ten more cost-efficient solutions can nowbe achieved without having to search for al-ternative materials or processing is successfully applied in manyindustries: Automotive Construction materials Lighting Print products Electrical engineering Filtration Aerospace Medical technology Building services Technical textiles Tunnelling Packaging Household appliancesFluorination at room temperatureFluorination is the method of choice evenfor thermosensitive parts.

5 The treatment isapplied at steady, low temperatures, usuallyat room temperature, avoiding local tem-perature gasResidual Component with activated surfaceInline web material fluorinationIn an inline system, web material is fluori-nated in a continuous process. Treatmentresults are determined by throughput rateand fluorine concentration. The system isdesigned to treat a wide range of web ma-terials of varying thickness and widths ofup to b = mm from roller to roller. Weprocess Filter media Films Fabrics Foams Technical textiles Non-woven fabricsLong-term stabilityThe bond energy of the carbon-fluorinecompound created in the surface is extraor-dinarily high.

6 Accordingly, the process offluorination is not reversible. The surfaceproperties achieved remain stable over longperiods. Complex geometriesGas-phase Fluorination yields absolutelyconsistent application results. Cavities, un-dercuts, recesses and wraps, as well as tex-tured and coarse surfaces , are treated ho-mogeneously and without any ensures a consistently high treatmentquality right down to the most remote cor-ner of the component. 304050 Non-fluorinatedSource: Innovent energy [mN/m]Direct1 month3 months6 monthsStorage periodPP Total energyWeb materialFluorine gasResidual Web material with activated surfaceThe Fluorination process enhances many surface properties .

7 It is highly effective in modifying the topmaterial layer without adversely affecting the properties of the underlying material. No other methodcan achieve such a targeted effect. Fluorination can be applied to all plastics: ABS, EPDM, plasticsmade of renewable raw materials, NBR, HNBR, PC, PEEK, PMMA, polyamide, polyester, glass fibre-re-inforced polymers, mixed polymers, polypropylene, silicone, TPE, properties in practiceImproved surface wettabilityWettability fluorinationSmoother fluid filmsand faster dryingFluorination hydrophilises sur-faces, enhancing coating qualitythrough better wetting, film for-mation and adhesion yields significant savingswhen painting, printing or ap-plying decor to the surface .

8 Asmoother water film also meansmore even drying, a higher printquality and less lime and fluorinationReduced friction, sticki-ness and clingingThe stickiness of elastomercomponents made of NBR,HNBR, EPDM or other types ofrubber and silicone is reducedto a minimum. Talcum, siliconeoils or other additives are nolonger required. These proper-ties are long time stable even ifthe material is regularly cleanedor sterilised. Contaminantsdon t adhere to the surface , soparts remain fluorinationBetter bonding andadhesion Fluorination can improve theadhesion properties of plasticmaterials.

9 The polarity of thesurface is increased, therebyimproving adhesion and wet-ting. Lamination lasts longer,flocking is more durable, andthe bonding of adhesives is barrier fluorinationLess permeation, diffusion and migrationThis type of Fluorination createsa barrier against non-polar sub-stances, reducing permeation,diffusion and migration of short-chain fluids (solvents, petrol,coolants, glycerol, etc.) to a min-imum. Additives of the plasticmaterial no longer diffusethrough the surface , and ele-ments of the container filling nolonger permeate the friction and stickinessBetter bonding and adhesionLess permeation, diffusion and migrationObjectivesNon-fluorinatedFluori natedOptimal paints Durable adhesive bondsConsistent film formationStronger bondingImproved wetting(hydrophilic properties )Increasedsurface energyFluorinationProcess backgroundThe wetting properties of plastic materialsdepend on the polarity pairing.

10 Different po-larities cause the liquid to form drops onthe surface . Fluorination creates higher sur-face energies in polar plastics that are thusadjusted to the surface energy of the surfaces are very suitable for wettingwith polar The larger and smoother surface of the liq-uid covering a component has the followingbenefits: Faultless liquid films More uniform coating Enhanced printability Faster drying Better draining of liquids Prevention of mould formation Improved lubrication effect of liquidWetting plastic surfaces is much easier afterthey have been fluorinated.