Adhesion properties of glow‐discharge‐plasma‐treated polyethylene surface

A geometric method proposed by Kaelble and Moacanin for analyzing energetic characteristics of solid surfaces is discussed. It is shown that a number of characteristics can be presented in a visual geometric form. The method is applied to the analysis of adhesion in a three-component system. Results of the analysis, concerned with the problem of creation of biocompatible materials, support the Andrade hypothesis that materials with zero interfacial tension of their water–solid interface show maximum biocompatibility. Data are obtained on wetting of polyethylene by different liquids before and after glow discharge plasma treatment. The analysis of these data in terms of geometric method shows the plasma treatment increased the polar component of the polymer surface energy to change the surface adhesiveness toward probable enhancement of polymer biocompatibility. That is consistent with available data on glow-discharge-treatment enhancement of biocompatibility for a number of polymers. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.