Improving the reversible adhesion performance of an epoxy vitrimer adhesive through surface treatment technology

Identifier:  imarina:9462608

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9462608

Authors:  Surós M; Verdugo P; Santiago D; De la Flor S

Abstract:
This work evaluates the effect of different surface treatments on the adhesion and re-adhesion performance of a transesterification-based epoxy vitrimer adhesive using aluminum adherents. Although surface treatments are widely used in the adhesive industry, their role in the reversibility of vitrimer adhesion remains mostly unexplored. To quantify this effect, four adhesion methodologies were employed: pristine adhesion, re-adhesion after failure, re-adhesion after thermal debonding, and adhesion after self-welding. Various surface treatments were tested, including degreasing methods, chemical etching, and atmospheric plasma exposure. These treatments significantly enhanced the adhesion properties of the vitrimer studied, increasing the pristine adhesion strength by up to 90% and the re-adhesion strength by up to 130%, with certain treatments achieving full (100%) retention of the original adhesion strength. Additionally, a qualitative surface characterization is provided to explain the observed adhesion behavior.