Effect of Surface Treatment of Polyethylene on Metal-Polyethylene Bond Strength Using an Epoxy Based Adhesive

摘要

Polyethylene (PE) was treated with chromic acid for improvement of adhesion.The treated PE samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.Adhesive bond studies were carried out on stainless steel-PE joints using a toughened epoxy based adhesive developed in our laboratory.The improvement of bond strength has been correlated with the formation of polar groups on PE estimated by FT-IR spectroscopy.No change in surface topography was observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy studies.The bulk mechanical properties of PE film were investigated as a function of time of treatment.No significant change in mechanical properties was observed up to the time of treatment of about 1 h.