Topic: Applied plasma technology in automotive engineering - adhesive bonding of plastics, glass and metal, bonding of adhesives, pretreatment for bonding

Automotive Engineering: Tried and tested surface treatment with atmospheric-pressure plasma

Most applications by far of Openair® plasma are found today in automotive engineering.

The first application in this sector started in 1995 with the activation of headlight housings. Today Plasmatreat is represented internationally with installations in almost all large car manufacturers and suppliers to the industry.

Bonding of headlight housings	Bonding of sealing profiles	Pretreatment for bonding windscreens

Apart from improving the bonding of adhesives, Openair® plasma is often used to activate vehicle parts prior to painting. By this means many water-based paint systems can be employed without the need for primers. In addition Plasmatreat has extensive experience in combining commonly used paint systems with plasma-treated surfaces.

Openair® plasma has revolutionised the pretreatment of EPDM profiles prior to the application of antifriction lacquers or flock adhesives. This process proceeds smoothly and without abrasion with plasma pretreatment. Rotating wire brushes which had hitherto determined pretreatment have now been replaced by the efficient use of the plasma technology developed by Plasmatreat.

Openair® plasma acts at zero potential on surfaces. As a result components made of metal, e.g. engine control housings, air flow meters or radar sensors, can also be cleaned very effectively. In addition, in many cases a stable oxide layer is built up that favours the bonding of plastics.

Individual solutions for individual requirements

Plasmatreat is continuously further developing the systems required to meet the needs of customers and in line with the quality demands of the car industry. Thus, low-maintenance systems with continuous on-line process control and rapid, exactly reproducible jet settings are available to customers at all times.