Plasma is the fourth state of matter and the result of ionized gas. More importantly, plasma is a helpful tool that’s capable of fulfilling a multitude of functions. Specifically, there are many different uses for plasma in manufacturing that help improve the overall process.
Increased Bonding and Adhesion
The primary use for plasma in manufacturing is to increase the bonding and adhesion characteristics of a given material’s surface, which is accomplished through either atmospheric or low-pressure plasma treatments. Ionized gas is so effective that it can improve adhesion for materials that typically lack good wetting characteristics, such as PET, PVC, and other plastics. But why is increasing the bonding capability of a given surface so important for manufacturing? Mainly because plasma surface treatment ensures better adhesion for coatings, inks, and other forms of marking.
Item Sanitation
Aside from being great at boosting surface wettability, plasma is very suitable for sanitation applications. Specifically, the plasma treatment process effectively eliminates impurities, organic materials, and other contaminants from a material’s surface.
In fact, these clean conditions help increase bonding and adhesion characteristics. As such, industries like pharmaceuticals and medical device manufacturing utilize plasma surface treatment to ensure their products meet strict regulations and are safe for human use and consumption.
Electronic Manufacturing
Plasma treatment is an increasingly popular method used in electronic manufacturing, specifically for cleaning semiconductors at low, non-damaging temperatures. Furthermore, plasma can be used to safely deposit silicon dioxide and other dielectric materials to help insulate electronic components. This form of protection helps safeguard circuits and other electronics from corrosion, damage, and contamination. Another use for plasma in electronic manufacturing is known as etching, the main process involved in fabricating integrated circuits.
There are many different uses for plasma, and understanding how this fourth state of matter can benefit manufacturing can help improve countless businesses. Plasma surface treatment machines aren’t cheap, but the investment is worth the financial sacrifice.
