Some effects of corona discharge treatment of biaxially-oriented polypropylene film

The effects of the unit corona-treatment energy on the contact angle of various liquids, on the surface free energy, on the extent of oxidation of a surface layer, and on the adhesion of acrylic adhesive were studied using a biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film. The surface free energy was determined with the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good (VCG) approach as well as with the wettability method. The extent of oxidation of the surface layer of the corona-treated BOPP film was evaluated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The adhesion strength of joints between the BOPP film and the acrylic adhesive was measured using the 180degrees-peel test. In the range of the unit corona-treatment energy up to 1.2 kJ/m(2), a rapid increase in the surface free energy with the treatment energy is observed. In the range above that value, the surface free energy rises relatively slowly. The extent of oxidation of the surface layer and the adhesion strength of joints between the BOPP film and the acrylic adhesive are approximately in direct proportion to the unit energy of the corona treatment. A five-fold growth of the adhesion strength of the studied joints within the examined range of the treatment energy was found.