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Effects of aging on the adhesive properties of poly(lactic acid) by atmospheric air plasma treatment

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to analyze the durability of a plasma treatment on the surface of poly(lactic acid) (PLA). We used atmospheric-plasma treatment with air to improve the wettability of PLA by evaluating the aging effect under controlled conditions of relative humidity (RH) and temperature (25% RH and 25°C). We studied the durability of the atmospheric-plasma treatment by measuring the contact angle, calculating the surface energy, and observing changes in the resistance of the PLA-PLA adhesive bonds. These techniques allowed us to evaluate the hydrophobic recovery phenomenon that the PLA surface suffered as a consequence of the aging process. The results provide the maximum storage time of PLA treated with atmospheric plasma at which the sample retained its good adhesion properties; this time was lower than 3 days under normal atmospheric conditions.