Abstract: The boundary layer of a substrate is exposed to a low-energy inert-gas atmospheric plasma that disrupts the layer's bonds, thereby permitting the removal of most oxygen from the surface of the substrate. The substrate is then passed through an exhaust section to remove the disrupted boundary layer prior to conventional plasma treatment. The subsequent plasma treatment is carried out in conventional manner in a substantially oxygen-free environment. As a result of the invention, the high surface-energy levels provided by plasma treatment are more lasting and plasma applications requiring a substantially oxygen-free environment are more efficient.

Abstract: A plasma is produced in a treatment space (58) by diffusing a plasma gas at atmospheric pressure and subjecting it to an electric field created by two metallic electrodes (54,56) separated by a dielectric material (64), and a precursor material is introduced into the treatment space to coat a substrate film or web (14) by vapor deposition or atomized spraying at atmospheric pressure. The deposited precursor exposed to an electromagnetic field (AC, DC, or plasma) and then it is cured by electron-beam, infrared-light, visible-light, or ultraviolet-light radiation, as most appropriate for the particular material being deposited. Additional plasma post-treatment may be used to enhance the properties of the resulting coated products.

Abstract: A plasma is produced in a treatment space (58) by diffusing a plasma gas at atmospheric pressure and subjecting it to an electric field created by two metallic electrodes (54,56) separated by a dielectric material (64), a precursor material is introduced into the treatment space to coat a substrate film or web (14) by vapor deposition or atomized spraying at atmospheric pressure. The deposited precursor is cured by electron-beam, infrared-light, visible-light, or ultraviolet-light radiation, as most appropriate for the particular material being deposited. Additional plasma post-treatment may be used to enhance the properties of the resulting coated products.

Abstract: A plasma is produced in a treatment space by diffusing a plasma gas at atmospheric pressure and subjecting it to an electric field created by two metallic electrodes separated by a dielectric material, a precursor material is mixed with the plasma, and a substrate film or web is coated by vapor deposition of the vaporized substance at atmospheric pressure in the plasma field. The deposited precursor is cured by electron-beam, infrared-light, visible-light, or ultraviolet-light radiation, as most appropriate for the particular material being-deposited. Plasma pre-treatment and post-treatment steps are used to enhance the properties of the resulting coated products. Similar results are obtained by atomizing and spraying the liquid precursor in the plasma field.