Understanding the Differences Between Corona and Plasma Treatment

One of the most frequently asked questions at Tantec is: “What is the difference between corona and plasma treatment?” This article aims to clarify the distinctions between these two electrical surface treatment methods, both of which play crucial roles in various industrial applications.

Corona Treatment

Corona treatment is a form of plasma treatment known for its simplicity in ignition. It occurs when the potential difference between two electrodes is not enough to form a plasma channel but is high enough to ionize the surrounding air. This ionization process enables surface treatment or etching between the electrodes.

Plasma ionization is the process of energizing a gas to create plasma, a state where atoms are ionized into positively charged ions and free electrons. This occurs by applying energy, such as heat or electromagnetic fields. Plasma ionization is used in applications like surface treatment to alter material properties for improved adhesion.

By understanding plasma ionization, we can see how corona treatment effectively modifies surfaces to enhance adhesion without the need for a full plasma channel.

Key Characteristics:

Environment: Operates in ambient air. Function: Treats surfaces by ionizing air between electrodes.
Applications: Suitable for materials with low surface energy.
Control: Offers high control over the treatment process.
Electrical Potential: Involves an electrical discharge.

Techniques: Low Frequency Corona:
Uses two electrodes at opposing voltages with air blowing through the gap to create a corona discharge. Ideal for treating profiles, cables, and injection-molded parts.
Example: SpotTEC.

High Frequency Corona:
Provides precise and controlled treatment with highly ionized air. Example machines include RotoTEC-X, BottleTEC, FoamTEC, and SheetTEC.

What is corona treatment animation video

Plasma Treatment

Plasma treatment, on the other hand, is more complex and is carried out in a controlled environment, either using compressed air or other gases like argon, nitrogen, or helium. Plasma treatment not only modifies the surface but also cleans it.

Key Characteristics:
Environment: Requires a controlled environment, not ambient air.
Function: Treats and cleans surfaces.
Versatility: Suitable for both conductive and non-conductive materials.
Control: Delivers a focused discharge under controlled scenarios.

Techniques: Atmospheric Plasma:
Utilizes high voltage arcing and compressed air to create plasma in the atmosphere. It provides micro-cleaning and improved adhesion. Tantec’s PlasmaTEC-X, SpinTEC, and ProfileTEC machines employ this technique.

Vacuum Plasma: Conducted under vacuum to create a uniform plasma field, ensuring comprehensive treatment of complex parts. Tantec’s VacuTEC machines offer various chamber sizes and configurations for optimal adhesion properties.

Tantec’s Expertise in Surface Treatment At Tantec, we employ four key techniques involving plasma and corona treatments:

Low Frequency Corona
High Frequency Corona
Atmospheric Plasma
Vacuum Plasma

Each technique offers distinct advantages and is suited to specific applications, ensuring that we can provide tailored solutions for diverse industrial needs. Understanding the differences between corona and plasma treatments is essential for selecting the right surface treatment method for your application.

Tantec’s advanced technologies and specialized machines, such as SpotTEC, RotoTEC-X, BottleTEC, PlasmaTEC-X, SpinTEC, ProfileTEC, and VacuTEC, and other systems offer precise and efficient solutions for enhancing surface properties, improving adhesion, and ensuring optimal performance in downstream processes. Explore our range of surface treatment solutions at Tantec and discover how our expertise can enhance your industrial applications.