Abstract:

In this study, the adhesion strength properties of laminated polypropylene nonwoven fabrics treated with low-temperature, low-pressure, radio frequency argon plasma were investigated. The change in wettability was determined by water contact angle measurements. In order to observe the effect of plasma treatment on the washing resistance of the laminated samples, washing treatment by means of 10 wash cycles was also carried out. After the peel-off test, the remaining adhesives on the peeled surfaces were examined by SEM images in order to see the effect of plasma treatment. Contact angles of highly hydrophobic polypropylene nonwoven samples decreased by increasing the plasma exposure time and discharge power. The peel bond strength of the plasma treated laminated fabrics improved by up to 150% compared to the untreated fabrics. SEM and AFM analyses also showed that the surface roughness increased due to the etching effect of the plasma treatment, leading to the improvement of the mechanical adhesion of the polypropylene nonwoven fabrics.