Study of the effect of atmospheric pressure air dielectric barrier discharge on nylon 6,6 foils

Nylon 6,6 foils have been treated by an atmospheric pressure air dielectric barrier discharge. The action of plasma on nylon foils was determined by means of a wide range of techniques that enabled us to study changes in their surface as well as bulk properties. The plasma treatment was found to cause significant changes in morphology, surface chemical composition and wettability of the foils depending on the treatment time. On the other hand, optical, thermal and mechanical properties remained unaffected by plasma treatment even for prolonged treatment duration. In addition, independence of dielectric properties of nylon 6,6 foils of the plasma treatment was observed except for the high temperature region. These results clearly show that air atmospheric plasma treatment is suitable for applications in which modification of surface properties of nylon without alteration of their bulk properties is required.