Method and apparatus for glow discharge plasma treatment of polymer materials at atmospheric pressure
AssigneeThe University of Tennessee Research Corporation
InventorsJohn R. Roth, Peter P. Tsai
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Abstract
Polymer materials such as film and fabrics, woven, non-woven and meltblown, may be non-destructively surface treated to improve water wettability by exposure to a glow discharge plasma sustained at substantially atmospheric pressure in a modified gas atmosphere comprising helium or argon.
Claims29
A method for improving the wettability of a meltblown polymer web or film, comprising the steps of generating a sustained atmospheric pressure of about one atmosphere, glow discharge plasma between a pair of spaced plate electrodes, wherein said electrodes are energized over a range of about 1 to at least 5 KV rms at a radio frequency of about 1 to 100 KHz, and drawing said web or film in the space between said electrodes and within said glow discharge plasma for a predetermined period of time.
A meltblown polymer web or film having a surface of enhanced wettability and re-wettability produced by a predetermined period of exposure of said web or film to a sustained, atmospheric pressure of about one atmosphere, glow discharge plasma generated by about 1 to at least 5 KV rms potential at a radio frequency of about 1 to 100 KHz.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.