Analysis of technological effects of cold plasma treatment of wood based materials finished with finishing foil and paints

The goal of this work was to measure the impact of a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma treatment (DBD) on the adhesion properties of the most common wood-based materials used in industry, namely particle boards and medium density fiberboard (MDF). Samples made of particle board and MDF were finished with melamine foil or water-based painting. Before the finishing procedure, contact angles were measured and work of adhesion values calculated. Additionally, a dynamic wettability model was used to make comparison regards to liquid penetration and spreading during the contact angle measurement. The painted work samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive x-ray (EDS) analysis to assess the depth of paint penetration. With both kinds of material (MDF and particleboard), pull-off tests were also conducted. The results demonstrated significant improvements in the wettability properties of both particleboard and MDF. However, SEM analysis showed no increase in paint penetration. Simultaneously, pull-off tests turned out unsatisfactory.