Many applications of polyolefins require good adhesion to other substrates such as adhesive bonding, lamination, painting, printing and metallisation. However, polyolefins have very poor bonding properties except where a diffusion mechanism operates, such as during the welding together of two pieces of polyolefin. Theories of adhesion are briefly described.
This review discusses ways of improving adhesion to substrates. A variety of pretreatments and primers have been developed for altering the surface properties of polyolefins to enhance adhesion. These include corona discharge, flame and low pressure plasma treatment for plastics, and the use of a chlorine donor for elastomers. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed in this report.
A number of different analytical methods have been used to characterise the surface of polyolefins before and after treatment. These include X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SSIMS) and Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These techniques are described and examples of the information obtained are included.
Many experiments have been performed globally to investigate ways of improving the bonding of polyolefins. Data from some of the key work on different treatment methods are included, together with a discussion of the effectiveness of the treatments.
This overview is written by two of the most prominent researchers in this field. It is clearly written and will be of use to those in industry and academia who are working on adhesion and bonding to polyolefins, both in practical situations and in the laboratory.
The extensive reference section contains a unique set of abstracts from the Polymer Library, including papers on the issues of bonding of polyolefin in composites.