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Corona Treatment for Low Surface Energy Polymers:
A Key to Stronger Bonds

Functional polymer films are used in a wide variety of applications, from packaging to window safety to light control and more. The desire for high quality polymers in a variety of applications means that demand continues to grow for higher standards of surface modification and adhesion.

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Corona treatment for polymers is the ideal solution to provide this modification and adhesion. Many polymers are low surface energy materials, meaning that they don’t easily bond to each other or to other materials. 

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Corona treatment increases the surface energy by applying a high voltage current to the material. This in turn creates ionized air, causing invisible changes to the material on the molecular level and increasing the polymer’s adhesion properties. Once treated, materials can be bonded together much more easily, improving the quality and durability of products. 

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Corona treatment can be used on a wide variety of polymers, as well as most common substrates, including plastics and metals. It is also used in the production of a wide range of products, including packaging, optics, window treatment, and more. 

Some examples of applications for corona treatment of polymers includes:

  • Automotive

  • Barriers 

  • Biodegradable Packaging & Materials

  • Conductive Materials 

  • Construction

  • Insulative Materials 

  • Electronics 

  • Light Control 

  • Medical 

  • Packaging

  • Personal Care

  • Safety & Security 

  • Water Soluble Materials 

  • Micro-Porous Materials 

Some examples of polymers which benefit from corona treatment include:

  • Bio-Films

  • ETFT

  • FEP

  • HDPE

  • LDPE

  • LLDPE

  • PCTFE 

  • PFA

  • Polyamide

  • Polyester

  • Polyimide

  • Polypropylene

  • PS

  • PTFE/Teflon

  • PVC

  • PVDF

  • PVF

  • THV

  • TPU

Additional Benefits

Corona treatment is a useful and often necessary process for improving the performance of polymers. Besides improved adhesion, corona treatment for polymers provides benefits like:

Enhanced printability, making it easier to print on the surface of the material.

Improved surface uniformity, which can result in more consistent coating thickness and improve product appearance.

Improved surface cleanliness, which reduces the risk of contamination and other issues that can impact product quality.

Reduced need for primers, which can reduce costs and simplify the production process.

Corona treatment is an invaluable tool for improving the performance of polymers. If you’re interested in more information about corona treatment stations from Pillar Surface Treaters, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our team will work with you to determine the best corona treatment configuration for your needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Most polymers, like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene, have low surface energy, which makes them naturally resistant to bonding with inks, adhesives, and coatings. Surface treatment enhances the surface energy, enabling better adhesion and more reliable performance in downstream processes.

  • Corona treatment is highly effective for roll-to-roll and continuous processes. It’s fast, clean, and cost-effective. Other options, such as flame treatment or plasma treatment, may be used for 3D objects or applications requiring deeper or more chemically specific surface modifications. Pillar Technologies can help determine which is best for your operation.

  • Treated polymers are most receptive to bonding within 24 to 72 hours of treatment. However, the treated surface can degrade over time due to factors like dust, humidity, or oxidation. For critical applications, testing dyne levels just before converting or printing is recommended.

  • Yes. Pillar Technologies offers custom-configured treatment stations that are tailored to your substrate type, width, line speed, and required dyne level. Whether you’re working with thin films or thick industrial sheeting, our systems are built to deliver consistent and reliable treatment results.

Get Started Today!

Corona treatment is an invaluable tool for the coating industry. If you're interested in more information about corona treatment stations from Pillar Surface Treaters, don't hesitate to contact us today. Our team will work with you to determine the best corona treatment configuration for your specific needs. 

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