The use of microwave plasma for EPDM rubber surface treatment

• Grant number: 07/07525-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2008
• End date: July 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Materials and Processes for Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Argemiro Soares da Silva Sobrinho
• Grantee: Argemiro Soares da Silva Sobrinho
• Host Institution: Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Ministério da Defesa (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Due to the low cost and the excellent mechanical and thermal properties, the EPDM rubber is widely used in the mechanical and aerospace industry. However, the EPDM rubber has low surface energy which decreases its adhesive properties in the majority of materials. In this work we will use microwave plasma in different plasma conditions to modify the EPDM rubber surface energy in order to improve its adhesion properties. The plasma parameters that will be varied are: the gas mixture (argon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen and mixture of them) and gas flow, chamber pressure, treatment time and sample position in the plasma chamber. The plasma properties will be studies by optical spectroscopy and Langmuir probe. The EPDM rubber surface will be analyzed by goniometry, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. (AU)