Plasma cleaning / deep cleaning = plasma treatment

LABS is a German acronym for substances that might impair surface wetting in the coating process. These substances prevent an even wetting of the surface to be coated, thus causing pit-like imperfections and pinholing in the coat of lacquer. Since the introduction of lacquering with solvent-free (or to be more precise, low-solvent) lacquers in the automotive industry, “labs-free” production material, equipment and tools is a requirement. Since it is not known which substances cause these faults, materials, parts and assembly groups are tested to ensure they are “labs-free”.

Whilst in the case of metals and many plastics intensive cleaning reliably removes any materials used in manufacturing (separating agents, coolants, etc.) stuck to the surface, surface cleaning is not sufficient in the case of elastomers. Depending on the compound, it is not only necessary to remove from the surface any residual materials used in manufacturing. All traces of substances used in manufacturing that are diffused in the material as well as several non-bonded compound ingredients have to be removed.

OVE has developed a process in which elastomers are cleaned “labs-free” in as far as possible. In the case of compounds containing a high proportion of labs substances, renewed contamination may occur depending on storage and operational conditions. The best results are obtained with the OVE cleaning process. Following intensive wet-cleaning with a fat solvent, the parts undergo deep cleaning using low-pressure plasma cleaning with an oxygen flush.

Testing according to VW specifications

The VW PV 3.10.7 is a widely used standard test specification. The parts to be tested are wetted with a solvent compound and the solvent compound evaporated on a test plate; the test plate is then lacquered. There should be no scratches on the lacquered surface.

 

Description	In low-pressure plasma treatment, oxygen is activated in the vacuum through a supply of energy. Oxygen radicals (O) and ozone (O2 ) form. Reactive residues (oils, fats,…) are oxidised and eliminated as gas (CO, CO2 , H2O or dust).
Aim	„labs-free“, surface activation
Application	All types of elastomer
Colour	No change
Coating thickness	No coating application
Temperature range	No change
Hardness	No change in hardness
Properties	- Computer-controlled procedure - Finished part fulfils VW test specification no. 3.10.7 - Elastomer is permanently „labs-free“ - No change in the physical properties of the treated elastomer - „labs-free“ available for all products
Delivery period	2 – 3 weeks
Price	On application