Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of bonding an injection molded plastic to a glass substrate is disclosed. The method includes applying a silica coating to a surface of the glass substrate; injection-molding a plastic substrate, modified with a silane coupling agent, on to the glass substrate to adhere the plastic substrate to the surface; and curing the plastic substrate to covalently bond the silane coupling agent to the silica coating.

Abstract: An assembly and a method of joining a first part with a second part at an attachment area that includes a localized area on the first part. The localized area is cleaned and activated by a plasma jet. An organosilicon composition is applied by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to the localized area. An adhesive is applied to the localized area and the second part is mechanically fastened to the first part in the localized area.

Abstract: A hem flange treatment method. The method includes air plasma direct spraying a hem flange at an outer edge of an outer panel thereof with a plasma polymer direct spray to cover the outer edge with a protective direct spray region. The method further includes air plasma overspraying an inner cut edge of an inner panel of the hem flange with a plasma polymer overspray to form a protective overspray region that covers the inner cut edge.

Abstract: A plasma vapor deposited (PVD) coating method. The method includes overlaying a primer polymer layer onto a substrate surface. The method further includes overlaying a chrome metallic layer onto the primer polymer. The method also includes depositing a plasma vapor deposited (PVD) oxide layer of a thickness of 1 to 5 nanometers onto the chrome metallic layer and having a parameter of color change of the underlying chrome metallic layer. The color change may be determined according to the following equation: ?E*ab=?{square root over ((?L*)2+(?a*)2+(?b*)2)} L is the color brightness of the oxide layer, and a and b are the color-component dimensions of the oxide and metallic layers. ?E*ab may be less than 2.3. The method further includes overlaying an exposed polymeric layer onto the PVD oxide layer to form a protective layer at the interface between the exposed polymeric layer and the oxide layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for analyzing the adhesiveness of enamel frits using topography. One method includes analyzing a topography of a defined area of an enamel frit surface having a plurality of peaks and determining a topographical parameter of the defined area based on peak shape and/or density. The determined topographical parameter may be compared to a threshold value. The method may then include applying an adhesive to the enamel frit and bonding the enamel frit to a substrate if the determined topographical parameter is below the threshold value. The analysis of the topography may be performed using a non-contact profilometer, such as an optical profilometer. In one embodiment, the topographical parameter may be developed interfacial roughness (Sdr). The method may be integrated into a manufacturing/assembly line for vehicle glass components, such as windshields or side windows.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for analyzing the adhesiveness of enamel frits using topography. One method includes analyzing a topography of a defined area of an enamel frit surface having a plurality of peaks and determining a topographical parameter of the defined area based on peak shape and/or density. The determined topographical parameter may be compared to a threshold value. The method may then include applying an adhesive to the enamel frit and bonding the enamel frit to a substrate if the determined topographical parameter is below the threshold value. The analysis of the topography may be performed using a non-contact profilometer, such as an optical profilometer. In one embodiment, the topographical parameter may be developed interfacial roughness (Sdr). The method may be integrated into a manufacturing/assembly line for vehicle glass components, such as windshields or side windows.

Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma treating fiber tows (e.g., carbon fiber tows) are disclosed. The system may be a fiber tow treatment system, including an air-plasma source configured to emit a plasma stream and a support surface spaced apart from the air-plasma source and configured to contact the plasma stream when emitted. First and second guides may be on opposing ends of the support surface and configured to align a moving fiber tow between the support surface and the air-plasma source. The method may include continuously transferring a fiber tow through a first guide, across a support surface, and through a second guide; and air-plasma treating the fiber tow as it crosses the support surface such that a deflection of the fiber tow from the air-plasma treatment is limited by the support surface. The disclosed systems/methods may reduce the damage to fiber tows during plasma treatment.

Abstract: A plasma vapor deposited (PVD) coating method. The method includes overlaying a primer polymer layer onto a substrate surface. The method further includes overlaying a chrome metallic layer onto the primer polymer. The method also includes depositing a plasma vapor deposited (PVD) oxide layer of a thickness of 1 to 5 nanometers onto the chrome metallic layer and having a parameter of color change of the underlying chrome metallic layer. The color change may be determined according to the following equation: ?E*ab=?{square root over ((?L*)2+(?a*)2+(?b*)2)} L is the color brightness of the oxide layer, and a and b are the color-component dimensions of the oxide and metallic layers. ?E*ab may be less than 2.3. The method further includes overlaying an exposed polymeric layer onto the PVD oxide layer to form a protective layer at the interface between the exposed polymeric layer and the oxide layer.

Abstract: An assembly and a method of joining a first part with a second part at an attachment area that includes a localized area on the first part. The localized area is cleaned and activated by a plasma jet. An organosilicon composition is applied by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to the localized area. An adhesive is applied to the localized area and the second part is mechanically fastened to the first part in the localized area.

Abstract: An article is disclosed that includes a metallic layer overlaying a substrate surface; a plasma vapor deposited (PVD) oxide layer overlaying the metallic layer; and an exposed polymeric layer overlaying the oxide layer to form a protective layer at the interface between the exposed polymeric layer and the oxide layer.

Abstract: An assembly and a method of joining a first part with a second part at an attachment area that includes a localized area on the first part. The localized area is cleaned and activated by a plasma jet. An organosilicon composition is applied by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to the localized area. An adhesive is applied to the localized area and the second part is mechanically fastened to the first part in the localized area.

Abstract: In at least one or more embodiments, a system for scutching material fibers includes first and second plates defining a first cavity to receive and discharge material fibers, the first plate including a first number teeth extending into the first cavity and movable in a first direction, the second plate including a second number of teeth extending into the first cavity and movable in a second direction different from the first direction. Teeth as present in the first number and/or the second number of teeth may be spaced apart from each. In certain instances, the material fibers may be carbon fibers.

Abstract: A structural polymer insert. The insert includes a substrate having a surface and an adhesive with the substrate being an admixture of a polypropylene component and a glass fiber component. The surface has a plurality of oxygen atoms, optionally introduced by air plasma, in an amount of 1 to 60 atomic percent of all the atoms present on the surface. The foam adhesive is attached to the surface through one or more reactive moieties resulted from oxidative action of the oxygen atoms.

Abstract: A structural polymer insert. The insert includes a substrate having a surface and an adhesive with the substrate being an admixture of a polypropylene component and a glass fiber component. The surface has a plurality of oxygen atoms, optionally introduced by air plasma, in an amount of 1 to 60 atomic percent of all the atoms present on the surface. The foam adhesive is attached to the surface through one or more reactive moieties resulted from oxidative action of the oxygen atoms.

Abstract: A treated hem flange is disclosed. The treated hem flange includes an outer panel and an inner panel including first and second opposing surfaces terminating at a cut edge. The inner panel is positioned within the outer panel. The treated hem flange also includes an electrocoat applied to the inner panel surfaces and the cut edge to form inner panel coated regions and inner panel exposed regions. The treated hem flange also includes a plasma polymer coat applied to the inner panel exposed regions to form a barrier coating.

Abstract: An assembly and a method of joining a first part with a second part at an attachment area that includes a localized area on the first part. The localized area is cleaned and activated by a plasma jet. An organosilicon composition is applied by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to the localized area. An adhesive is applied to the localized area and the second part is mechanically fastened to the first part in the localized area.

Abstract: In at least one or more embodiments, a system for scutching material fibers includes first and second plates defining a first cavity to receive and discharge material fibers, the first plate including a first number teeth extending into the first cavity and movable in a first direction, the second plate including a second number of teeth extending into the first cavity and movable in a second direction different from the first direction. Teeth as present in the first number and/or the second number of teeth may be spaced apart from each. In certain instances, the material fibers may be carbon fibers.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate surface. The method includes plasma spraying a direct-spray component onto a substrate surface, and plasma spraying an over-spray component onto the substrate surface. The direct-spray and over-spray components form a plasma coating surface contacting at least a portion of the substrate surface.

Abstract: A coated metallic part includes a substrate including a metallic surface; a first coating layer supported on the metallic surface and including a first polymer, the first polymer including silicon; and a second coating layer including a second polymer different from the first polymer, the first coating layer being positioned between the metallic surface and the first coating layer. The first coating layer may have a silicon atomic percentage of 5 to 50 atomic weight percent. The first polymer of the first coating layer may have an oxygen-to-silicon ratio of 1.0 to 4.0. The second polymer of the second polymer layer may include at least one of an acrylic polymer, a polyester, an alkyd, a polyurethane, a polyamide, a polyether, a copolymer thereof, and a mixture thereof.

Abstract: An article is disclosed that includes a metallic layer overlaying a substrate surface; a plasma vapor deposited (PVD) oxide layer overlaying the metallic layer; and an exposed polymeric layer overlaying the oxide layer to form a protective layer at the interface between the exposed polymeric layer and the oxide layer.