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03/09/2022 | Pressemitteilung

Plasma system enables development of new plastic/silicone compounds

The UNIpace application center at the University of Kassel is expanding its research infrastructure: a new open-air plasma facility enables research and development of new compounds made of silicone and plastic. The findings are expected to lead to simpler production of medical devices such as respiratory masks.

UniPace employee Mohammed Nikousaleh directs the system's plasma beam at a workpiece.

With the help of the plasma beam, the scientists can "activate" larger plastic surfaces: The treatment of the surface then enables more stable adhesion of various plastic components. In this way, the Kassel research group aims to improve certain medical products and facilitate their manufacture; for example, elastic components (such as silicone) are bonded to solid components in respiratory masks, but also in dosing pumps for drugs. Until now, this has been done in time-consuming and comparatively error-prone individual steps.

The new system consists of a high-voltage generator, a downstream transformer and an open-air plasma nozzle. The plasma nozzle can be attached to a robot system. The plasma is generated under elongated electrodes and blown out of the nozzle under atmospheric pressure. This process allows for a simple, safe and environmentally friendly surface activation technology. Researchers can use the new system to experiment with different distances or operating speeds. The rotary system also makes it possible to pretreat larger areas with a rotation of up to 2800 revolutions per minute. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the system (from the company Plasmatreat GmbH) to the tune of around €45,000 as part of the BMBF-funded MeKoMed research and development project (multi-component injection molding process for the production of medical technology multifunctional parts from standard thermoplastics and silicone rubbers). In addition to B. Braun Melsungen AG, the project consortium includes the companies Ewikon, Freudenberg and Polar-Form.

The UNIpace Plastics Processing Application Center has been located on the campus of the University of Kassel since 2013 and is under the scientific direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Peter Heim (Institute of Materials Engineering, Department of Plastics Technology). UNIpace conducts research with several regional and national companies in the field of silicone rubber processing. Currently, 16 people are employed at UNIpace.

 

Contact:
https://www.unipace.de

Press contact:
Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
E-mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
www.uni-kassel.d