Enhancing wettability of high density polyethylenes (HDPE) through microplasma jets

This paper aims at the characterization of plasma microjets generated by open microhollow cathodes to ionize gases such as air, N2, He and O2. The electrical and optical parameters were raised. Through the optical emission spectroscopy, gas temperature (Tg) and the excitation temperature were estimated. Tg ranging from 2100K to 600K for a gas flow rate ranging from 0 to 400ml/min. From 150 to 400ml/min Tg remained close to 700K. As an application, the treatment of smooth surfaces of high density polyethylenes (HDPE) was performed with a view to improve the hydrophilic property of the surface.