Surface properties of metal alloys used in aviation after plasma treatment

The metal alloys: aluminum AMS 4037, 4041, 4049, carbon steel AMS 5045, titanium alloy AMS 4911 and cadmium steel used in aviation were treated by air and argon plasmas. For their activation, low pressure plasma was used. Surface treatment caused a significant increase of wettability due to the increasing surface roughness and introduction of polar functional groups onto the surface. Changes of surface properties are reflected by the value of electron donor parameter of apparent surface energy. Copyright (c) 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.