Tech Talk Blog

We’ve all been touched by the recent earthquake destruction in Haiti.  And our team is now seeing a renewed interest in surface treatments that can help building materials (like cement) resist seismic activity and sudden impact.

By adding specially treated polyethylene fibers to concrete mixtures, contractors are able to enhance the strength and durability of preformed structures.  With plasma treatment, our team can select the optimum gas chemistry and operating condition to improve the bond strength and interface toughness of ethylene fibers.  Treated fibers have a significantly improved bond strength compared to virgin, non-treated fibers.  With our plasma process, we can enhance the structural integrity of fiber cement mixtures used in buildings, bridges, and other superstructures.

What is the best process for removing silicone oil from a catheter made of Pebax® tubing prior to a bonding operation?  Would you use plasma or corona?

Your question is one that we are seeing more frequently. And the short answer is that it all depends on the amount of oil.

If you can see a significant oil collection, then you need to wash the tubing in an ultrasonic bath with an emulsifier. Then, you may simply wipe the tubing with an alcohol wipe to remove any excess. It really depends on the level of contamination. Generally speaking, I’ve found that catheters have a superficial level of oil.

If the amount of oil is superficial, plasma can carry away the excess oil via a specific oxygen treatment. We do not advise corona treatment for this application, since it can make the silicone hydrophilic and give a false impression of being clean. Plasma is a more elegant solution and will “superclean” the surface to promote better adhesion.  Learn how we recently solved this challenge.