In this recorded webinar, you will gain a better understanding of the science behind surface pretreatment of different plastics and learn how to determine the best solutions for your adhesion challenges.
Topics covered:
- Adhesion versus cohesion failure
- Why pretreatments are required for low-energy plastic substrates
- Effects on adhesion from primary molding operations
- How to select the best pretreatment process
- Diagnostics, trouble-shooting and solutions
- “Best Practices” manufacturing process methods
- Real-life case studies
Key Takeaways
- Adhesion and cohesion failure are different diagnoses requiring different corrective actions.
- Low-energy plastic substrates need pretreatment — the webinar covers why, not just how.
- Primary molding operations affect adhesion long before any pretreatment is applied.
- Process selection is application-specific, and the session covers how to choose between the available methods.
- Includes diagnostics, troubleshooting and real-life case studies, plus best-practice manufacturing methods.
Scott R. Sabreen is founder and president of The Sabreen Group, Inc. The Sabreen Group is a global engineering consulting company specializing in secondary plastics manufacturing processes – surface pretreatments, adhesion bonding, decorating and finishing, laser marking, and product security. For more information, call (888) SABREEN or visit www.sabreen.com or www.plasticslasermarking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this webinar cover?
The science behind surface pretreatment of different plastics and how to determine the best solution for a given adhesion challenge — including adhesion versus cohesion failure, why pretreatments are needed for low-energy substrates, the effect of primary molding operations, how to select a process, diagnostics and troubleshooting, best-practice methods, and real case studies.
What is the difference between adhesion and cohesion failure?
Adhesion failure occurs at the interface between the adhesive and the substrate, leaving residual adhesive on only one surface. Cohesion failure occurs within the adhesive layer itself, leaving material on both surfaces. The distinction determines which corrective action will actually work.
Why do low surface energy plastics need pretreatment at all?
Because they are hydrophobic, non-polar and chemically inert, so an adhesive, ink or coating cannot wet out the surface. Pretreatment raises surface energy and introduces polar chemical functionality that makes the surface bondable.
Can molding conditions affect adhesion?
Yes, substantially. Primary molding operations influence surface chemistry and texture, and additives such as mold release and slip agents migrate to the surface. Adhesion problems often originate in molding rather than in the bonding step itself.
How do you select the right pretreatment process?
By matching the method to the application. Each process — corona, flame, atmospheric plasma, cold gas plasma, UV/ozone and Pyrosil — has distinct advantages and limitations depending on substrate, part geometry, conductivity, material handling and required shelf life.
