Adhesive Properties of Silicone-Coated Release Liner Paper Enhanced by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Pre- and Post-Treatment

• Main Authors: Zlata Kelar Tučeková, Oleksandr Galmiz, Jakub Kelar, Dušan Kováčik, Monika Stupavská, Petra Šrámková, Miroslav Zemánek, Julien Vallade, Mirko Černák
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: Coatings
• Subjects: release liner; clay-coated paper; silicone coating; adhesion; wettability changes; aging
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/10/11/1102

For release-liner preparation, coating stabilization of the silicone layer on base paper often requires pre- and post-treatment. In this study, we used atmospheric pressure diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge in roll-to-roll configuration. The results of prepared coating showed that the A4 size clay-coated paper sprayed with silicone oil (0.25–0.50 mL) gradually decreased the tape peeling force (180°) with prolonged and repeated air plasma post-treatment. Best results showing increased hydrophobicity and significantly enhanced release factor of the coating were obtained after the plasma treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere. The silicone coating on the clay-coated paper reduced the reference release force from 5.5 N/cm to less than 1.5 N/cm after the repeated silicone spraying and short nitrogen plasma post-treatment. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy indicate silicone curing by plasma post-treatment and pore-closing of base paper without changes of the bulk material. The aging test lasting 3 months revealed the stability of the prepared coating.