Introduction
For many years, research centers around the world have been studying the development of plasma technology on an industrial scale, as it has a low environmental impact and has the potential to give the surface of the tested material great functionality.
Plasma can functionalize the surface of different materials, regardless of composition and shape, with a well-defined energy range. Therefore, different lines of development of plasma technology have been established based on its final industrial application.
Next Technology Tecnotessile has developed plasma technology with the aim of renewing the processes of textile finishing and surface modification.
Technology Description
Plasma is considered the fourth state of matter, the most reactive. It is a partially ionized gas composed of a combination of electrons, positively and negatively charged particles, neutral atoms and molecules. All of them are capable of triggering chemical and physical reactions on the surface of the polymer and therefore producing alterations in its properties and morphology, both temporary and permanent. The main interactions that can occur between plasma and polymers are the degradation (or etching) of the external surface of the polymer, the grafting of atoms in the plasma, the generation of radicals in the polymer chain and polymerization. Next Technology Tecnotessile has two different machines, one that works at low pressures (cold plasma) and one that works at atmospheric pressure.
Vacuum Plasma
Low pressure plasma is a highly mature technology developed for the microelectronics industry.
Next Technology Tecnotessile’s low pressure machines consist of a vacuum chamber and high vacuum pumps operating between 102 and 103 mbar.
The gas released into the chamber is then ionized by a high frequency generator. The main advantage of cold plasma technology is reproducibility.
Atmospheric pressure plasma
Next Technology Tecnotessile, as a research project activity, has studied and built an industrial prototype of an atmospheric pressure plasma machine (Next Plasma), installed in the Prato laboratory. The atmospheric pressure plasma prototype is able to continuously treat fabrics or similar materials (such as paper and polymer films) with a maximum height of 50 mm and a variable speed from 2 to 20 m/min. An AC electronic generator, working between 30 and 100 kHz, controls the ignition discharge. This results in ionized gas and a multitude of discharge arcs forming between the electrodes. Generally, these non-uniform micro-discharges do not have the potential to generate a non-homogeneous treatment.
During the passage of the fabric under the electrodes, one or more technical gases are injected to promote the formation of a plasma cloud and give the material specific functional properties. The Next Plasma machine is composed of a series of cylinders for positioning and feeding the tissue and a large diameter cylinder (counter electrode) on which the electrodes powered at high voltage work. The counter electrode is covered with an insulating material, which forms the dielectric barrier. Each electrode is connected to the process gas distribution network. The use of the electrodes as diffusers and gas injectors allows the generation of a uniform plasma on the side of the electrode facing the tissue. This allows the machine to treat not necessarily both surfaces of the material.
Where is it located?
The machine is located in the Prato laboratories of Next Technology Tecnotessile.
For more information, we recommend downloading the brochure and contacting the following contacts:
NEXT TECHNOLOGY TECNOTESSILE
Via del Gelso, 13 – 59100 Prato – Italy
Tel. +39 0574 634040
Email: services@tecnotex.it
Technical details
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