Oleophobic Coating - Depositing oil repellant coatings • Using Thierry plasma systems
An oleophobic coating is an oil repellent coating. This means that it does not allow oil to absorb. A common oleophobic substance is water, but this quality can be produced on other materials with the help of Thierry treatment processes. The most useful aspect of oleophobic coatings are that they can make materials fingerprint resistant because they repel the oils that are produced by the skin. Oleophobic coatings are most commonly used in medical supplies and the consumer electronic industry. They are used to coat medical tubing, endoscope lenses, surgical visors and shields. More recently, oleophobic coatings are being used extensively to make smudge resistant touch screens for smartphones and tablets.
Oleophobic Coating Plasma Treatment
Oleophobic Coatings are deposited on materials using a plasma process called plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. This takes an oleophobic substance and evaporates it within a chamber. This process binds the oleophobic substance to the material on the surface creating a thin permanent layer that does not require reapplication.
To learn more about the use of plasma in manufacturing, please read our eBook titled "Manufacturer’s Surface Activation Guide for Improved Adhesion."
