Wettability Enhancement of Aluminum Alloys via Plasma Arc Discharge Available to Purchase

The aim of this study is to determine the wettability-enhancing effects of an atmospheric-pressure, direct current (DC) plasma arc discharge on aluminum alloys. Wettability is a critical factor in engineering applications such as biomedical implants, painting, and adhesive bonding. For example, in the realm of adhesive bonding, greater wettability improves a metal substrate’s attraction to an adhesive material, which results in higher bond quality. In this study, the contact angle is determined and compared as a measure of the wettability using two different techniques, the sessile drop and ballistic deposition methods, with water as a test liquid. Additionally, this paper analyzes the impact of different arc discharge parameters, including arc current and plasma torch velocity, on the wettability.