Evaporated aluminum on polypropylene: Oxide layer thicknesses as a function of oxygen plasma treatment level

Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film samples were metalized in an industrial rollto-roll vacuum web coater following various levels of oxygen plasma treatment. The aluminum adhesion, barrier properties, and the oxide layer thicknesses on both sides of the aluminum layer were measured. The plasma treatment increased the level of oxygen containing groups on the BOPP surface. Low treatment levels led to increases in the measured aluminum adhesion.