Effect of DCSBD Plasma Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Polymer Films

Polymers and their surface modifications are the subject of intensive research due to their wide industrial applications in the fields of food packaging, biomedicine and electronics. The most widely used polymer films include polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP), whose surface and mechanical properties can be optimized through physicochemical modifications. Diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) represents an effective method for modifying the surface properties of polymers without significantly affecting their structural properties. This study focuses on analyzing the effect of DCSBD plasma discharge on the mechanical behavior of PE, PET and PP films by means of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Experimental samples were exposed to DCSBD plasma discharge and subsequently subjected to DMA over a wide temperature range. The measurement results showed significant changes in the storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E′′) and loss angle (tan δ), while a decrease in material stiffness and a shift in glass transition temperatures (Tg) were identified.