Applications
The free, energetic electrons make plasma very escharotic. Thereby it can change the surfaces of materials variously and in wide fields. Many surfaces can be generally improved only with the help of plasmas. Quite new surface qualities can be generated, but also widespread process engineering can be arranged more rational and ecologically friendly.
Plasma-coated tools have a longer service life and they need only few or no lubricants or coolants and enable exact work. A plasma-supported activation of the surfaces of different work pieces improves or enables the adhesion of paints, other coatings or, e.g., the printability of plastic packaging. Plasma-coated architecture glasses fulfil the highest standards in thermal insulation, transparency and comfort. Plasma-coated food packaging reduces the aromatic losses, extend the shelf life and saves on preservative. With the help of plasma-supported functionalisation or coatings, textiles can be equipped chemical free, e.g., hydrophobic, oil- repellent and wettable. In the field of medicine instruments or implants are gentle sterilised with plasma. Plasma processes activate the surfaces of implants, life-supporting systems or diagnostics systems to make them biocompatible. And these are only some examples.
The application fields of plasmas are still not exhausted. Functionalised high-performance materials for special applications, the trend towards the miniaturisation, and the results of the nanotechnology predetermined the current directions. Here the plasma technology plays an important role. Beside the development of absolutely new applications, widespread procedures can still be optimised.
