Surface Functionalisation of Three-dimensional Plastic Parts

Robot-controlled functionalisation by electron treatment

Plastic parts made of non-polar polymers (e.g. polypropylene) are used in various applications. Before printing, coating and bonding, reliable surface activation is required to ensure sufficient wetting of the surface as well as to avoid adhesion problems and adhesion fractures.

In the automotive industry, flame treatment is the method of surface activation, as it works continuously as well as is easy-to-use and cost-effective. During the surface activation, polymer degradation may also occur, affecting adhesion and leading to cohesive fractures in the non-polar polymer to be activated.

The operation of compact low-energy electron emitters on an industrial robot enables an environmentally friendly reproducible and long-term stable functionalisation of three-dimensional (3D) plastic parts.

Compared to flame treatment, the energy consumption and CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced, which leads to cost reductions and increased sustainability for the operator.

An economical and high-quality functionalisation of complex three-dimensional plastic parts requires the use of efficient area emitters in combination with 3D-capable finger emitters. The additional running costs amount to approximately 0.10 €/m².

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