UV cleaning surface modification is one of the cleaning surface reformulation methods that improve adhesion and bonding strength by removing organic film on the material surface and hydrophilizing the plastic surface with the energy of short-wavelength UV light emitted from low-pressure mercury lamps and the ozone (O3) generated by the UV light.
Ultraviolet rays emitted from low-pressure mercury lamps used in UV cleaning surface modification equipment have two main wavelengths (184.9 nm and 253.7 nm), and cleaning surface reforming equipment using low-pressure mercury lamps is generally called "UV ozone cleaner," "UV cleaning equipment," "UV surface reforming equipment," etc.
One technology that is often confused is "UV irradiation equipment" that irradiates other wavelengths due to differences in the lamp mechanism, etc.
For example, UV curing equipment using high-pressure mercury lamps with a main wavelength of 365 nm (UV curing and UV drying) and equipment used for sterilization applications with a main wavelength of 254 nm have different structures and applications from "UV cleaning surface modification” .
| wavelength range | Use Cases | |
|---|---|---|
| 365nm |  |
UV curing equipment (UV curing and UV drying) |
| 254nm | |
Sterilization and deodorization equipment |
| 308～313nm | |
UV irradiation equipment for treatment of skin diseases, etc. |
| Click here for more information about UV curing equipment | ||
Features of UV cleaning and modification
Dry Cleaning
Compared to wet cleaning, which uses a cleaning solution, UV ozone cleaning does not use chemicals, but uses the energy of ultraviolet rays emitted from low-pressure mercury lamps to improve the cleaning process, making it an environmentally friendly system that can reduce environmental impact.
No damage
Unlike plasma surface reformulation, this process uses only UV light to clean and modify the workpiece surface without damaging it.
In the case of plasma surface reformulation, electrification damage due to ion impact is a serious problem, leading to degradation of the electrical characteristics of the device.
In UV cleaning surface modification treatment, surface treatment by oxygen radicals without plasma discharge is possible.
Low cost due to no need for vacuum facilities
No vacuum chamber, pump, or other vacuum equipment is required, and UV irradiation can be performed at low cost in a general atmospheric pressure environment.
Supports a wide variety of materials
We can provide a combination of low-pressure mercury lamps to match the shape and size of the material.
Currently, light sources in the 184.9nm and 253.7nm wavelength range have not yet been realized using LEDs.
There are many examples of the technology being introduced, for example, in the flat panel manufacturing industry such as LCD and OLED panels.
In addition, the technology has also been introduced in the manufacturing process of automobile parts and smartphone exteriors to improve adhesion and bonding, and to improve wettability for cell cultivation.
Case study
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