AVS 51st International Symposium
    Plasma Science and Technology Tuesday Sessions
       Session PS2-TuA

Paper PS2-TuA8
Deposition of Plasma Polymer Coatings on Stainless Steel

Tuesday, November 16, 2004, 3:40 pm, Room 213B

Session: Plasma and Polymers
Presenter: A. Mistry, University of Sheffield, UK
Authors: A. Mistry, University of Sheffield, UK
F.R. Jones, University of Sheffield, UK
D.B. Hammond, Corus Plc. Rotherham, UK
T.H. English, Corus Plc. Rotherham, UK
Correspondent: Click to Email
Plasma polymerisation is being investigated to produce coatings imparting a specific function on the surface of stainless steels, such as improved cleanability. One approach to this goal is through deposition of inorganic oxide layers that enhance the hydrophilicity of the surface, improve water run-off properties and enhance the surface's dirt shedding properties. Preliminary work with hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) and titanium containing organo-metallic monomers, e.g. titanium (IV) isopropoxide, as the precursor with/without O@sub 2@ as a co-reactant for plasma polymerisation onto stainless steel has shown the potential of this approach. The results from XPS indicate that as the concentration of O@sub 2@ in the plasma increases, the species deposited on the surface incorporate less carbon. There is also a decrease in the measured contact angle, i.e. the surface becomes more hydrophilic. This change in surface chemistry to a more oxide-like state is shown by an increase in O:Metal ratio. Thus, the surface chemistry can change from organic polymeric-like at high monomer concentration and low power, to inorganic oxide-like at low monomer concentration and high power. The cleaning response of the coated surfaces has been investigated, and copolymerisation of these two monomers to impart other synergistic effects is being carried out.