Welcome

Failte

The Surface Engineering Group carries out research on the use of plasma treatments to modify the surface of polymers, ceramics and metals. Using plasmas the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of surfaces can be modified at the nm and micron level. Coatings can be deposited which can enhance materials' properties, for example, to tailor wettability, cell/protein adhesion, tribological properties as well as enhancing the adhesive bond strength. The depositon of functional coatings can also be used to achieve enhanced biocompatibility or to improve anti-bacterial properites.

The group has a range of equipment for the deposition of coatings including:

* Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) Systems

* Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) Systems

* Microblasting techniques (particularly CoBlast)

Amongst the coatings deposited using these sources are plasma polymerized polymers i.e. siloxane coatings, hydroxyapetite, metal nitrides, oxides and carbides. Coatings are selected according to the application requirements of the end user. The deposition of natural polymer coatings and plasma medicine is currently a particular focus.

The group uses a range of surface characterisation equipment to measure properties such as functional chemistry, surface energy, surface roughness, coating adhesion, thickness, hardness, thermal stability, wear resistance, friction, morphology, optical properties and crystal structure.