Surfaces & Coatings
For over 25 years, Ceram has had expertise in surface and coatings analysis. We know that, where surfaces interact, it is invariably the outermost few atomic or molecular layers that get involved.
Metal surface oxidation in air is a case in point for chemical reactive interaction. Surface adsorption is the physical adherence of one substance on the surface of another and can be less than a monolayer of the adsorbing material. Conventional chemical analytical techniques do not investigate surfaces in terms of this definition as their sampling volumes penetrate many tens of microns. At Ceram though we have dedicated resources offering ‘true’ surface analysis.
Properties of Surfaces and Coatings
Wherever there is a material surface there is a material interfacial reaction - either chemical, physical or both. The ramifications for material and, thereby, product or process performance are critical. Examples of performance properties affected by interface condition are:
- adhesion (or lack of adhesion, e.g. of coatings) wear
- lubrication
- cleanliness
- corrosion
- wettability (hydrophobic or hydrophilic) smoothness/roughness
- colour
- biocompatibility
- reflectivity
- hardness
- texture
- slip/friction
- printability
- electrical conductivity.
Applications of Surfaces and Coatings
To understand the chemical and physical characteristics of a surface requires specialist capability. Ceram’s surface characterisation expertise uses state-of-the-art instrumentation allied to over 100 years aggregate technical experience in its application to real world interfacial analysis. Chemical composition can be informed at high sensitivity, quantitatively, spatially and with finely resolved depth profiles. Topographical profiles can be generated with quantitative area statistical averages and 3D representation.
Coatings in Packaging
Painted or lacquered substrates often degrade in particular environments and are affected by the quality of substrate surface preparation. ‘Paper’ packaging is frequently polymer laminated, polymer film is used ubiquitously in food packaging, often surface modified and printed and often multilayer. Drink cans are internally lacquered and plastic bottles are surface treated, carry sticky labels or have printed sleeving. Ceram’s surface chemical analysis, chemical depth profiling and topographical profiling capabilities are frequently used to support both causal investigations and product developments in this sector.
Coatings on Fibres
Functional textiles are increasingly common and depend on the use of synthetic fibres and on surface treatments. The composition, concentration and distribution of surface treatments can be determined by Ceram’s surface analysis capability. Another area of major growth for fibres is in the field of polymer-fibre composites. Ceram has extensive experience in composites analysis (link to composites paper and aerospace white paper) where the resins are often cured and the fibres increasingly coated or surface treated.
Surfaces and Coatings Innovation Projects at Ceram
- Replacement of Cr in anti-corrosion coatings
- Investigation of plasma deposition of a surface modifier on the internal walls of inhaler cans for Bespak
- Determination of the efficiency of plasma deposition of an anti-microbial coating onto polyster for a fabric treatment operator
- Measurement of surface smoothness variation and treatment distribution on release papers
- Chemical analysis of the interfacial region of an acrylic/metal laminate
- Investigation of adhesive failure of a printed ceramic heating element on a glass substrate
- Investigation of lacquer thickness on a drink can inner surface
- Determination of Cr oxidation state for Goodrich Corporation
Case Studies:
Plasma Deposition of an Anti-microbial Coating onto Polyester
ToFSIMS investigation into plasma deposition efficiency
Surface Characterisation of Gas Turbines
Ceram assisted Goodrich Corporation with surface analysis of a chromium containing coating.
