Contact angle adjustment

Increasing the contact angle results in an increase of the hydrophobic and non-absorbent properties, a reduction of wettability, as well as in water-proof and self-cleaning surfaces, smaller friction coefficient. Reducing the contact angle results in an increase of the hydrophilic and the wetting properties, increases adhesion and the painting and gluing behaviour. To increase the contact angle, the material undergoes plasma coating by plasma polymerisation with fluorine monomer gases, in particular HMDSO. To reduce the contact angle, the material undergoes plasma cleaning with complete removal of all separating hydrocarbons, in particular oils, greases, and release agents. For this reason, plasma activation causes a reduction of the contact angle and an increase in wettability, in particular on non-polar substrates.