SPECIFICATIONS | TST PLASMA | CORONA DISCHARGE |
---|---|---|
Average Power | 100W | 1000W |
Plasma Currents | Low | High |
Main Direction of the Energy Transfer | From the electrode to the surface of the material | Between electrodes parallel to the surface of the material |
Plasma Temperature | Low | High |
Exposure Time | Unlimited | Very Limited |
Plasma Frequency | High | Low |
Ozone Generation | Low | High |
Noise Level | Low | High |
Overall Efficiency | High | Low |
Surface Area Covered from a Single Nozzle (Head) | 2" diameter circle | 2" length narrow curve |
Ability to Treat Patterned Surfaces | Unlimited | Limited |
Ability to Treat Inner Surfaces | Unlimited | Very limited |
Ability to Treat Heat Sensitive Surfaces | Unlimited | Very limited |
Ability to Treat Thin Objects (Fiberoptics, Contact Lenses, Wire Insulation, etc.) | Yes | No |
Special Additives for Chemical Surface Modification | Yes | No |
Thin Film Deposition | Yes | No |
Overall Flexibility | High | Low |
Tri-Star Technologies plasma machines stand aside from a wide variety of so called Corona Discharge systems for 3D surface treatment. Although both techniques are based on the same physical phenomenon, namely Electrical Breakdown of Gases at Atmospheric Pressure, or Electrical Discharge, the methods of creation and application of this discharge are completely different.
As can be seen from the preceeding table, the TST Plasma is much more effective and flexible than Corona Discharge 3D Treaters.
All of the Corona Systems require at least 2 electrodes to initiate and to maintain a discharge. In the case of web treatment it is done quite effectively by placing the moving film between High Voltage electrode (metal rod or bar) and a grounded metal roll. However, this would hardly work for 3D objects, since the breakdown distance between web electrodes is limited and usually does not exceed ¼".