Photonics
Electromagnetic radiation can interact with solids in various ways. This interaction can also be utilized to modify surfaces. Different approaches are pursued and practical solutions are developed by the department "Primer and Chemical Surface Treatment".
Depending on the material and process management, the treatment of the substrate surfaces with radiation can produce different effects ranging from: cleaning, structuring, labeling, stepwise varnish removal or decoating to activation or chemical modification of the surface.
One of the main areas of our development activities deals with radiation-assisted modification and functionalization. The aim is to improve the adhesive base for bonding and coating of: polymers, elastomers, fabric and fiber composites, silicones, ceramics or glass.
As an example, a highly spatially resolved, effective silicate coating can be achieved by a laser coating method without thermally stressing the substrates.
Furthermore, recent work has resulted in activating non-laser-sensitive, uncolored or difficult to bond polymers by laser treatment, thus increasing the bond strength.