A comparative study of the effects of remote nitrogen plasma, remote oxygen plasma, and corona discharge treatments on the surface properties of polyethylene

The effects of remote nitrogen plasma, remote oxygen plasma, and corona discharge treatments on linear low-density polyethylene were studied with regard to the chemical and physical surface modification, depth of modification, and surface stability. An attempt was made to correlate the type and the extent of modification with the printing and adhesion properties of the modified surfaces. Surface topography was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The relative percentages of nitrogen and oxygen on the surfaces were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Printing and adhesion tests were performed using standard, commercially available inks and adhesives.