What is corona treatment - Tantec

Corona is actually a form of plasma and is one of the easiest way to ignite it. A corona discharge occurs when the potential difference between two electrodes is not sufficient to form a plasma channel, but is high enough to ionize the fluid surrounding the high potential electrode, usually air. The resulting ions then lift an electrical charge towards the collection electrode, enabling treatment or etching of the surface between the electrodes. Plasma is more complex in that it is carried out in a controlled environment and not in ambient air. It requires either a stream of compressed air or a supply of other gases like argon, nitrogen or helium. Its properties allow not only to treat the surface, but also clean it, whis is impossible with corona. Thus, the main differences between plasma and corona come from the fact that a corona discharge is generated at a lower voltage and is brought on by ionizing air surrounding a conductor, without any additional gases being employed. Corona also has an electrical potential in the discharge, while plasma is generally a non-conductive ionized gas. While corona treatment is suitable for materials with low surface energy and offers a low-cost and efficient solution, plasma treatment gives a high degree of control over the surface properties and versatility. However, it usually requires more investment in the technology and consumables.