Working in the manufacturing sector demands careful planning. The semiconductor packages, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic devices your team produces call for a consistent approach that best satisfies the end user.
The idea of creating high surface energy for bonding is a common subject for professionals in this area. Using the right plasma solutions and provider for your projects is the key to making components and tools that perform in diverse conditions and yield effective results.
What Is Surface Energy and Why Is It Important for Manufacturing?
Surface energy evaluates how capable a material’s surface is of bonding. It is a rating for how well one surface will adhere to something else during manufacturing projects.
An example of how surface energy influences the manufacturing industry includes selecting the right materials for products. It is critical to choose materials that make it easy for electrical parts and PCBs to stay in place and accept coatings for enhanced performance and durability.
Surface energy affects adhesion strength. Without adequate surface energy, the parts and surfaces that make consumer products, medical tools and specialty items have a reduced chance of functioning properly and maintaining a desirable appearance in the future. Low surface energy is linked to uneven paint finishes, liquid beading, dust imperfections and a shorter product life span.
Factors Influencing Surface Energy
If you are curious about how to increase adhesion strength, consider the information below to adjust your process.
1. Surface Textures
Smooth surfaces make it easier to create strong adhesive bonds. There is less room for error during the manufacturing process, as air has a harder time getting trapped between surfaces that will be joined together. This is especially important when liquid coatings are applied to surfaces.
2. Composition of Materials
Some manufacturing materials are prone to strong adhesion due to their composition. For example, steel, glass and ceramics are known for having higher surface energy than plastics. Knowing your options for production and making selections based on natural characteristics can go a long way for your product’s performance.
3. Environmental Temperatures
Manufacturing teams must create environments that encourage high surface energy for bonding. Exposing surfaces to extreme heat during the treatment process results in better adhesion than in cold conditions. Manufacturing experts should always complete production tasks in controlled areas where the same temperatures can be set between batches.
4. Moisture and Humidity
Manufacturing professionals are advised to minimize moisture and humidity levels inside facilities. Excess moisture can compromise the effectiveness of surface cleaning, negatively impacting manufacturing efforts when you apply surface coatings.
The surface energy and wettability of the material are compromised, as there is something in between the unfinished material surface and treatment, leading to a less-than-ideal bond.
How to Increase Surface Energy During Manufacturing Procedures
Now that you understand what causes high surface energy, it is crucial to go over how manufacturing professionals can increase surface energy from inside a facility.
Your company’s process for enhancing surface energy will look different based on the types of goods you produce and in what quantities. For high-volume operations, atmospheric argon plasmas are an excellent choice for maximizing consistency between projects.
Using Plasmas to Increase Surface Energy
Atmospheric argon plasma can be used to produce automotive electronics, medical devices, medical diagnostic equipment, PCBs and semiconductor packages. Special machines are used to complete in-line surface cleaning, activation and adhesion improvement procedures in even the most confined spaces.
Depending on a reliable plasma provider like Surfx Technologies is effective for transforming your manufacturing approach. Atmospheric argon plasma provides the following advantages for increasing surface energy:
- Continuous line processing: With argon plasma, you complete treatments without the need for vacuums. Enhance manufacturing controls, boost uptime and promote strong bonds at the surface level.
- Efficient surface cleaning: Metal and glass surfaces must be cleaned to reduce contaminants before coating. Set your team up for success with cleaning and preparation techniques that reduce the chances of surface damage.
- Delicate component manufacturing: With the absence of vacuums, plasma machines give you the advantage of being able to accommodate sensitive parts such as microchips. Increase surface energy without chipping.
Trust Surfx Technologies for Large-Scale Manufacturing Plasma and Equipment
Surfx Technologies works with international manufacturing companies to streamline material cleaning and preparation procedures. We focus primarily on teams that work with electronics, medical devices and aerospace technology and serve international markets.
Unlike other equipment providers, the main gas used to clean and prepare your material surfaces is argon. This is an abundant resource that enables your departments to work with sensitive parts like the ones you would include in microelectronics. Minimize residues and contaminants from surfaces and improve surface adhesion characteristics of metals, glass, ceramics, polymers and textiles.
Contact Us for More About Our Plasma Systems
Surfx Technologies helps you follow a cleaning process with plasma machines that provide unparalleled process controls throughout your production facility.
To learn more about Surfx Technologies plasma and equipment, submit a contact form today.