A way to better analyse surface properties of planar substrates as coated metals, polymers and adhesives

Executive summary

Planar surfaces are often treated or coated (e.g. with epoxy, organics, adhesives, metallic coating…) to provide certain properties as corrosion resistance, friction or stickiness. In many cases contact angle measurements or application tests are sufficient – but quite a few applications are more tricky. Surfaces can be rough or porous, liquids may penetrate as in adhesive films or adsorption of special gases are of interest. In all those cases, existing methods are quite unsatisfactory and a chemical or microscopic analysis does not reveal the surface properties. Subsequently, optimization of the coating or the film is not an easy task and continuing blind-folded endless trials is ineffective and expensive.
 

How to go further in the characterization and understanding of surface properties of planar surfaces? How to support the product development in a more efficient approach?

Inverse Gas Chromatography is an established analytical technique for very sensitive surface characterizations. In this context, Adscientis has developed and patented an innovative device to perform in-situ studies of plates or foils in a quantitative and reproducible way. This device allows the analysis of planar materials like glass, steel, aluminum, metals, polymers and even adhesive films. Currently, IGC is the only method known to provide such deep insight of surface properties for planar-type materials. Based on the example of coated metallic plates, this application note focusses on the surface properties obtained by the method, such as surface energies, polarities, nanoroughness, specific surface area and surface heterogeneity. Knowing all these parameters supports the product developers quest for improved and innovative products.
See the pdf of this application note