Analysis of plasma degreased aluminium foil with XPS. (1st June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klingner, S; Voigts, F; Viöl, W; Maus-Friedrichs, W
• Is Part Of: Surface engineering. Volume 29:Number 5(2013)
• Page Start: 396
• Page End: 401
• Publication Date: 2013-06-01
• Subjects: Surfaces (Technology) -- Periodicals; Coatings -- Periodicals; 620.4405
• DOI: 10.1179/1743294413Y.0000000129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-0844

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Residuals of lubricants adhere as very thin layers of hydrocarbons to the surfaces of cold rolled aluminium foil. Subsequent processing of the foil requires a cleaning process. In this study, a new approach to degrease the aluminium is examined that employs an atmospheric pressure plasma treatment of the surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to detect hydrocarbon layers on the surface of aluminium foil. The detected carbon content is a measure of the amount of residual lubricants remaining on the surface. Before any treatment, the proportion of carbon on the foil surface amounts to 19% corresponding to a lubricant layer thickness of 3·3 nm. Plasma degreasing reduces the carbon proportion to ∼6% corresponding to a layer thickness of 1·3 nm. With conventional heating, there is a layer thickness of ∼1 nm remaining on the foil surface. Still, the plasma degreasing is a less time and energy consuming cleaning process.</p> </abstract>