Low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma generated by diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) plasma technology was used for surface modification of float glass, glass fibres and glass fabrics. Extremely high-power density and uniformity of DCSBD plasma enables extremely fast processing times. Even very fast plasma treatment (in-line treatment speed ~ 1-5 cm/s) results in effective surface cleaning and activation of a glass surface. The plasma-generated surface hydroxyl species together with improved micro-uniformity and increased adhesion properties led to improved bonding with elimination of local weak points that could initiate delamination and the subsequent formation of cracks in laminated glass structures.
DCSBD linear jet plasma system is a very new modification of DCSBD plasma technology specially designed for low-temperature (< 60 °C) plasma surface modification of rough, structured and porous materials such as glass fibres and glass fabrics. The DCSBD linear jet plasma generated in ambient air and nitrogen working gases was used for plasma activation of ~ 5 mm thick stack of glass fabric plies to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fibres and the matrix in subsequently fabricated glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. The SEM and micro CT analyses shown the reduction of bulk defects (empty gas voids) in the fabricated GFRP composites. The performance improvement of the GFRP composites fabricated with the plasma modification was also confirmed by bending test results.
The scalable, energy efficient and effective, low-temperature atmospheric pressure DCSBD plasma technology can be integrated into in-line production lines (e.g. flat glass) or in the robotic arm production processes (e.g. composites). These characteristics together with experimental results of plasma surface modification of glass materials with improved wettability, bonding, and increased interfacial adhesion make DCSBD plasma interesting for production of laminated glass products and composites with enhanced mechanical properties.
