The ultimate performance of whatever coating strongly depends on the properties at the substrate/coating interface.
Among others, adhesion of the coating to the underneath polymer is a crucial point, especially when dealing with polymers having an inherent hydrophobic surface, such as polyolefins. Several techniques can be used to greatly enhance the surface energy of polymers. Although the corona discharge is the most widely used in the coating lines worldwide, flame treatment exhibits higher efficacy particularly towards polyolefins.
Within my research activity the optimization of the whole flaming process represents a major topic. A proper setting of the operative
conditions as well as the modifications occurred at the polymer surface are the specific themes of investigations.