Effects of argon plasma treatment on the adhesion property of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) textile

Abstract In this investigation, effects of argon plasma on surface modification of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) textile were studied. After argon plasma treatment, the peeling test of UHMWPE textile/adhesive (PU_T01) composites were measured by ISO 10339:2003 and then observed the morpho-surface composites by SEM analysis. In addition, the contact angle of UHMWPE textile by argon plasma was also measured. Results showed that the peel strength of UHMWPE textile/adhesive (PU_T01) composites was increased from 0.6 kgf/in to 4.6 kgf/in as argon plasma treatment with treated power of 40 W and treated time of 5 min. From SEM observation, the surface of UHMWPE textile was introduced the number of anchors after argon plasma treatment. After plasma treatment, the UHMWPE react with adhesive. And the contact angle on surface of UHMWPE textile was decreased from 80° to 28°.