Electrical Corona Discharge

July 21, 2025
Updated: April 2, 2026
2 min read

Electrical Corona Discharge

Electrical corona discharge is a surface treatment Process that uses a high-voltage electrical field to ionize ambient air and create a low-temperature plasma near a material’s surface. This process is widely used to improve the surface energy and adhesion properties of Polymers, films, foils, textiles, and other non-conductive substrates.

What Is Corona Discharge?

Corona discharge occurs when a high-voltage electrical field is applied across a small air gap, typically between an electrode and a grounded surface. The intense field ionizes the air, forming a faint, brush-like plasma (corona) that interacts with the material surface.

How It Works

  • High Voltage Input: Alternating current (AC), usually between 10–30 kV, is applied to a sharp or rolled electrode.
  • Ionization of Air: The electric field ionizes surrounding air molecules, creating reactive oxygen species and UV photons.
  • Surface Reaction: The reactive plasma breaks molecular bonds on the surface, removes weak boundary layers, and introduces polar functional groups (e.g., –OH, –COOH), increasing surface energy.

Applications of Corona Discharge

  • Printing: Improves ink adhesion on polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester films, and labels.
  • Lamination and Coating: Enhances bonding between films and adhesives or coatings.
  • Adhesive Bonding: Prepares plastic parts for more reliable adhesive joints.
  • Packaging Industry:<
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