Keywords
Citation
Bean, J. (1999), "Improving adhesion with flame ionisation", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 28 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.1999.12928baa.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Improving adhesion with flame ionisation
Improving adhesion with flame ionisation
Keywords Coatings, Wood
The long-term performance of coatings on joinery could be significantly improved, following research by UK's Trada Technology. Adopting a technique known as "flame ionisation" ( used widely in the plastics and automotive industries) to wood could improve the bonding of coatings and preservation penetration.
The substrate to be coated is passed under a strictly controlled flame, which increases surface energy to give enhanced film-forming and adhesion. The process is simple and could be adapted easily for integration into production lines. Following initial testing on various woods, optimum equipment settings for specific timber types can be developed.
The research is a joint EC initiative and involves five European research organisations and a UK commercial partner. Peter Kaczmar of Trada, who is co-ordinating the programme, says that the key driver is to improve the performance of coatings for wooden joinery to a level where they can compete more effectively against products manufactured from aluminium and PVCu, which are perceived as being longer-lived. By approaching this at the material processing stage of the raw materials, this low-cost technology could have far-reaching benefits.