Treating surfaces with low-pressure plasma

Plasma-enhanced, chemical-vapor deposition (PECVD) thin-film coatings include lubricious, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and interface coatings for bonding like or different materials. Conventional plasma treatments include ultra-pure cleaning and surface modification of polymers, metals, ceramics and glass. Typical applications include functionalizing culture components for increased or selective cell attachment, treatment and cleaning of ophthalmic lenses prior to coating, bubble-release surfaces for fluid dispensing components, lubricious coatings on rubber stoppers or seals, and interface layers on metal to permit direct over molding or bonding.

PLASMAtech Inc., 1895 Airport Exch. Blvd., #190, Erlanger, KY 41018, info.ims.ca/6952-250

Clean surfaces with CO₂ plasma

The Dyne-A-Mite IT CO₂ Plasma uses gas or liquid-phase carbon dioxide with an atmospheric plasma discharge surface pretreatment to remove micron and submicron particulates and hydrocarbon-based contaminations on plastics and metals. The surface treatment improves adhesion on a variety of materials. The combination bombardments of CO₂ with atmospheric plasma increases the surface tension of base substrates as opposed to the use of the “snow” cleaning processes alone.

Enercon Industries Corp., Box 773, Menomonee Falls, WI 53052 (262) 255-6070, info.ims.ca/6952-251

Coating covers complex components

The IsoDyn LPCVD (low pressure chemical vapor deposition) process applies specialized, durable coatings onto complex shapes and multi-faceted substrates. The proprietary LPCVD is a high-temperature process (about 500C) that features uniform coatings on surfaces, both inside and out. It's ideal for coating almost all types of optical glass, including ball lenses, crystalline materials, ceramics, and metals. The deposition method is a thermally driven, organo-metallic process that deposits multi-layers of silicon dioxide, tantalum oxide, and titanium dioxide, as needed. The multilayered coatings are resistant to thermal shock and can be deposited on optics as small as 0.3 mm. They also feature highly stable wavelengths that do not shift with temperature.

Deposition Sciences Inc., 3300 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, (866) 4DEPSCI, info.ims.ca/6952-252

Machine cures several materials

The SCS Precision IRT is a curing system that quickly and safely cures a wide variety of coatings using convection and long-wave infrared heat sources. Combining the heat sources provides an energy-efficient process that is less expensive and faster than many other curing systems. The equipment handles applications such as high and low-solvent coatings, adhesives, and other heat curable materials. In addition, the process reduces the potential for solvent entrapment, bubbling, or blistering.

Specialty Coating Systems Inc., 7645 Woodland Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46278, (800) 356-8260, info.ims.ca/6952-253

Try coatings before ramping to full production

The Pilot Coating Line lets customers run trials on new processes and materials before scaling up to production equipment. The line runs water-based coatings and is capable of handling roll diameters of 24 in. and web widths to 26 in. A variety of heating technologies is available in the drying stage, including infrared (gas or electric), infrared air, impingement and flotation dryers. Pilot Line can run a variety of materials, including paper, film, foil, nonwovens, and fabrics. It can be used for coating, drying, curing, laminating, annealing plastic films, and printing on various substrates.

Radiant Energy Systems Inc., 175 North Ethel Ave., Hawthorne, NJ 07506, (800) 486-7786, info.ims.ca/6952-254