Influence of gliding arc plasma on the physical and mechanical properties of waterproofing polyethylene

The article presents the results of research on the influence of sliding arc plasma on the physical and mechanical properties of waterproofing polyethylene. According to plasmochemical etching theory, the process of modification of polyethylene and stabilized polyethylene films is based on ionization, excitation and dissociation of oxygen - and nitrogen-containing molecules on atoms, with the subsequent formation of hydroxyl groups, oxygen singlet, superoxide, ozone, hydroxyl, hydroperoxide and carboxyl groups. After modification, the relative elongation values are shown to change. The test of elongation values at modification time of 10 s for polyethylene films and 15 s for stabilized polyethylene is 230 % in both cases, and the maximum breaking load is 51.6 and 95.7 N, respectively. When exposed to a low-temperature plasma of a sliding discharge, plasma chemical etching processes are observed on the surface of the film, which do not affect the mass of the films, but lead to a change in the values of relative elongation in acceptable values. The results show an improvement in the adhesion and strength properties of PE and StPE films, which is a more efficient modification method than the chemical.