Introduction

Surface treatment is essential when bonding plastics to metals, applying coatings, or
printing on polymers. Many modern materials — especially polyolefins like polyethylene
(PE) and polypropylene (PP) — have low surface energy, which makes it difficult for
inks, coatings, adhesives, and labels to bond effectively.
At Tantec, we specialize in advanced corona and plasma surface treatment solutions
that modify surface properties, increase surface energy, and ensure strong, reliable
adhesion.

The Role of Surface Energy and Wettability

For inks, adhesives, or coatings to adhere properly, the liquid must wet the material
surface. Wettability depends on the surface energy of the substrate:

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• High surface energy → better wetting → stronger adhesion

• Low surface energy → poor wetting → weak or no adhesion

Surface energy is measured in mN/m (milliNewton per meter) and can be evaluated
using techniques like the Dyne test or contact angle measurements.

Example:

 

• Before treatment: low surface energy → ink beads up, poor coverage

• After treatment: high surface energy → ink spreads evenly, strong bond

Corona and Plasma Surface Treatment Explained
Surface treatment modifies only the top molecular layer of a material without affecting its
bulk properties. Tantec offers two core electrical methods:

Corona Treatment

Corona treatment uses a high-voltage discharge in ambient air to ionize gas molecules
and create reactive species that chemically modify the material surface.

Key Features

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• Operates in ambient air

• Non-contact process

• Ideal for films, foams, cables, profiles, bottles, and sheet materials

• Typical surface energy improvements up to 72 mN/m

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Corona Techniques

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• Low-Frequency Corona → stable discharge between two electrodes (e.g.,

        SpotTEC)

• High-Frequency Corona → precise, uniform treatment for more complex

        geometries (e.g., RotoTEC-X, BottleTEC, FoamTEC, SheetTEC)

Plasma Treatment

Plasma treatment also relies on high-voltage discharge but can be performed under
controlled conditions using compressed air or process gases like argon, nitrogen, or
helium.

Key Features

 

• Suitable for both conductive and non-conductive materials

• Can activate, clean, and micro-etch the surface

• Highly effective for medical devices, automotive components, and electronics

        Plasma Techniques

• Atmospheric Plasma → creates plasma directly in air using compressed gas (e.g.,

        PlasmaTEC-X, SpinTEC, ProfileTEC)

• Vacuum Plasma → uses a sealed chamber to generate plasma under vacuum,

        ensuring 360° uniform treatment (e.g., VacuTEC systems)

How Surface Treatment Works at a Molecular Level

When a high-voltage electrical discharge occurs, free electrons in the air accelerate
and collide with gas molecules, creating plasma.

This process:

1. Breaks molecular bonds on the surface
2. Creates free radicals
3. Introduces polar functional groups like:

o Carbonyl (-C=O)
o Carboxyl (-COOH)
o Hydroxyl (-OH)

These new groups increase surface energy, making it easier for adhesives, coatings,
and inks to bond strongly and consistently.

Applications of Tantec Surface Treatment Technology

Tantec’s Electrical Surface Treatment (EST) technology is used across industries to
improve adhesion on a wide range of materials:

Materials Treated

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• Polyethylene (PE)

• Polypropylene (PP)

• Polystyrene (PS)

• Plexiglas (PMMA)

• Polycarbonate (PC)

• ABS, EPDM rubber, polyurethane (PUR), Teflon (PTFE)

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Typical Applications

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• Medical devices → improving wettability for coatings and fluid flow

• Syringes → ensuring durable print quality

• Catheter tubing → enabling strong adhesion of hydrophilic coatings

• Electronics → improving cable insulation printing and bonding

• Automotive profiles → prepping EPDM rubber for adhesive flocking

• Packaging → treating bottles, lids, and films for labeling and sealing

Shelf Life of Treated Surfaces

The improved wettability achieved through surface treatment is time-sensitive. Treated
surfaces should ideally be printed, coated, or bonded soon after treatment.
However, once an ink, coating, or adhesive has been applied, the resulting bond
becomes permanent.

Why Choose Tantec

With over 50 years of experience, Tantec designs both standardized and custom-built
solutions for industrial surface treatment needs. Our systems are engineered to:

 

• Increase surface energy for improved adhesion

• Reduce or eliminate the need for primers and solvents

• Deliver uniform treatment at high production speeds

• Integrate seamlessly into new or existing lines