Effect of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on the adhesive bonds of metal surfaces

Purpose: In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effect of atmospheric pressure plasma application on the strength of the adhesive bond of galvanized steels (H300LAD) and non-galvanized steels (H300LA). Theory and Methods: The contact angles of the test samples prepared from galvanized coated and non -galvanized steel material were measured using water drops, and the relative surface tensions were determined with the ink test. These data were compared with the data obtained after the APP application and the effects of the applied plasma treatment on the surface properties were investigated. The test samples prepared by applying different plasma velocities and different adhesives were subjected to the tensile test. With these data obtained, the effects of plasma treatment on the adhesion strength of the materials were evaluated. Results: After the APP treatment, an improvement of approximately 69% in the galvanized material and 34% in the non-galvanized steel material was achieved in the surface wettability. In the (M1 Y2 V3) experimental group, the adhesion strength increased 4.38 times after APP application, and the greatest increase was obtained. The least increase in adhesion strength was obtained in the (M1 Y1 V1) experimental group with an increase of 1.74 times. While it is understood that the adhesion strength increases as the plasma velocity steps up, the most remarkable increase is the 39% increase in adhesion strength obtained by changing the velocity from V1 to V3 in galvanized steel. Conclusion: As a result, it has been understood that the application of APP increases the surface energy for galvanized steel and non-galvanized steel materials, thereby improving the bonding behavior of metals. This difference can be further increased with different experimental parameters. In addition, it has been observed that the plasma velocity is quite effective in changing the surface energy.