Surface Engineering Platform uniformly coats substrates.
Press Release Summary:
Using liquid precursor which is atomized and sprayed into plasma jet, PlasmaStream(TM) coats surfaces to provide characteristics such as adhesion, waterproofing, low-friction slickness, or anti-microbial properties. Suitable for manufacturers of 3D, rigid, or molded parts, platform eliminates need for drying and curing; works at room temperature; requires no solvents, surfactants, or water; and has negligible waste disposal and recycling needs.
Original Press Release:
Dow Corning Introduces Surface Engineering Platform
Platform tailors surface properties to deliver advanced functionalities using eco-friendly processing
MIDLAND, Mich., Aug. 7 // -- Dow Corning Corp.'s Plasma Solutions Business today introduced its PlasmaStream(TM) platform, which can be used to coat virtually any surface to improve such characteristics as adhesion, waterproofing, low-friction slickness, or anti- microbial properties. "The PlasmaStream benefits manufacturers of 3- dimensional, rigid or molded parts where surface or interface functionality can add value to their product.
"By providing new capabilities in terms of the variety and performance of functional coatings, product designers and engineers have new opportunities to customize the surface properties of a substrate, providing added value and competitive differentiation," said Andy Goodwin, Dow Corning's program manager.
For example, plastics used in automotive components, medical devices and microelectronics typically are difficult to bond, glue, coat or laminate. But Dow Corning's PlasmaStream can deposit an ultra-thin plasma polymerized primer film, customized to the chemistries of the specific plastic materials, to deliver adhesion, bond strength and durability, even in harsh environments.
"While designed to be a mainstream manufacturing tool, PlasmaStream's versatility and cost effectiveness make it suitable for R&D and pilot production as well," said Goodwin. "This technology provides customers with options as they seek to further innovate their products."
In addition to new or improved product performance, the platform reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating process steps, such as drying and curing. The technology is environment-friendly; it uses no water and is energy efficient since it operates at or near room temperatures, needs no solvents or surfactants, and has negligible waste disposal and recycling needs.
Examples of the surface properties that can be deposited include:
o adhesive promotion: outstanding bonding and lamination on polymer and metal surfaces without the need for bulk adhesion promoters
o hydrophobic: durable water repellency, complete water roll-off and inhibition of capillary flow
o hydrophilic: water wicking, extra absorbency, easy capillary flow, anti-fog, easy take-up and good coverage for printing, coating, dyeing, etc.
o oleophobic: high solvent repellency with durability to boiling water and solvent washes
o low friction: low coefficient of friction to produce a slick surface
o non-stick/release: low release force combined with the ability to reuse
o bioactive: selective biological tethering sites -- bio-receptors/bio- affinity, antimicrobial coatings and proteins
o co-polymers: multifunctional surfaces, e.g., dual function NH2 + COOH
o trapped active: the coating matrix can encapsulate for additional functionality
Its versatility in delivering many engineered surface functions is achieved by the use of a liquid precursor which is atomized and sprayed into the plasma jet, a Dow Corning patented process. A jet of cool plasma covers substrates with a uniform coating only tens of nanometers thick that chemically bonds to the underlying material.
PlasmaStream's precursor polymerization and coating process is designed to be gentler than conventional plasma deposition processes which typically damage or destroy the precursor molecules, along with their functionality and value.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning (http://www.dowcorning.com/ ) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) and Corning, Incorporated (NYSE:GLW). More than half of Dow Corning's annual sales are outside the United States.
Source: Dow Corning Corporation
CONTACT:
Jarrod Erpelding
Dow Corning Corporation (U.S.),
+1-989-948-4693,
Jarrod.Erpelding@dowcorning.com
Tony Herbert of +Dow Corning Plasma Solutions,
+353-86-244-4412 (Ireland),
tony.herbert@dowcorning.com
Web site: www.dowcorning.com/
http://www.dowcorning.com/plasma
