PROCESS FOR IMPROVED SURFACE PROPERTIES INCORPORATING COMPRESSIVE HEATING OF REACTIVE GASES

摘要

An apparatus and method are used to modify the surface chemistry of an article. The article to be surface treated has at least a surface region that include s at least one polymer. The method comprises the steps of placing one or more articles into a closed reaction chamber which is evacuated to a negative pressure. After evacuation , a treatment gas is rapidly injected into the reaction chamber, the treatment g as having an essentially predetermined composition comprising one or more components whic h are reactive with the articles within the reaction chamber. The treatment gas is allowed to react with the articles within the closed reaction chamber for a predetermin ed period of time. The treatment gas is then removed from within the reaction chamber and replaced with an inert gas at about atmospheric pressure. Finally, the treated articl es are removed from the treatment chamber.