Fraunhofer IFAM & Plasmatreat: PFAS-free plasma coating
Plasmatreat GmbH and Fraunhofer IFAM are expanding their collaboration in the field of environmentally friendly coating technologies. The focus is on technology transfer and the rapid industrial implementation of PFAS-free low-pressure plasma coating systems.
The PFAS-free low-pressure plasma coating systems Plaslon and Ultraplas were developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM. Plasmatreat contributes its system and application expertise to the cooperation, acts as a contract coater and plant manufacturer and thus enables the technologies to be used in various industrial fields of application. From laboratory tests to sample and pilot coatings through to turnkey series systems, companies receive end-to-end technology access. While Fraunhofer IFAM contributes its many years of expertise in the development, characterization and optimization of plasma-assisted surface coatings, Plasmatreat, with its proven experience in the development and manufacture of plasma systems, takes over the scaling and integration into existing production lines, as well as training of personnel and services.
Fast access to PFAS-free non-stick coatings
The cooperation gives companies from the plastics processing, tool and mold making, food, packaging and medical technology sectors quick access to turnkey, environmentally friendly, PFAS-free non-stick coatings. "With this partnership, we are opening up new opportunities for the industry to efficiently use innovative and sustainable, PFAS-free coating technologies. Through targeted technology transfer - from research to series production - we are bringing Plaslon and Ultraplas to where there is a need and thus enabling our customers to get started with the technology quickly and at low risk," explains Magnus Buske, Managing Director of Plasmatreat GmbH. Fraunhofer IFAM also emphasizes the advantages: "The collaboration combines research and application at the highest level. Together, we ensure that our PFAS-free developments do not remain in the laboratory, but flow into industrial production as qualified coating systems. We thus offer holistic coating solutions that make production economical and sustainable," says Dr. Klaus Vissing, project manager at Fraunhofer IFAM.
Plaslon and Ultraplas functional coatings
Plaslon is a low-pressure plasma-generated functional coating that is fluorine- and PFAS-free and combines excellent non-stick properties with high temperature and media resistance. The thin, uniform layers can also be applied to complex geometries and provide a durable, PFAS-free alternative to conventional non-stick systems, significantly reduced food adhesion thanks to a low-energy surface and outstanding layer adhesion with high infiltration stability. Ultraplas, on the other hand, is an innovative mold coating that has been specially developed for industrial applications. It is primarily used in thermoplastic and elastomer processing and serves to significantly reduce demoulding problems, the formation of deposits and cleaning costs for injection molds. Technical advantages of the Ultraplas coating include easy demolding and no transfer of coating components to the moulded part, PFAS-free functionality combined with high process reliability and maximum reproduction accuracy, e.g. for high-gloss surfaces.
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