One of the major disadvantages of low density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets is their poor adhesive properties. Therefore, LDPE sheets have been treated with atmospheric pressure air plasma (APP) in order to improve their surface properties. In order to simulate the possible conditions in an industrial process, the samples have been treated with two different sample distances (6 and 10 mm) and treatment rates between 100 and 1000 mm·s -1 . The variation of the surface properties and adhesion

more »

... eristics of the sheets were investigated for different aging times after plasma exposure (up to 21 days) using contact angle measurement, atomic force microscopy (AFM), weight loss measurements and shear test. Results show that the treatment increases the polar component γ ) and these changes improve adhesive properties of the material. After the 21 st day, the ageing process causes a decrease of wettability and adhesive properties of the LDPE sheets (up to 60%).