scope:

This book documents the proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Polymer Surface Modification: Relevance to Adhesion held under the auspices of MST Conferences, LLC in Orlando, FL, June 9-11, 2003.Polymers are used for a variety of purposes in a host of technological applications and even a cursory look at the literature will evince that currently there is tremendous interest and R&D activity in the area of polymer surface modification to attain their desired surface characteristics, particularly to enhance their adhesion.This volume contains a total of 25 papers which were properly peer reviewed, revised and edited. So this book is not merely a collection of papers, rather represents the highest standard of publication. The book is divided into three parts: 1. Plasma Surface Modification Techniques; 2. Other / Miscellaneous Surface Modification Techniques; and 3. General Papers. The topics covered include: low pressure plasma surface modification of a variety of polymers using various gases; atmospheric pressure plasma treatment; improvement of stain release properties of fabrics; modification of electrostatic properties of polymers; photon-based processes for surface modification of fibers; excimer UV light treatment; excimer laser surface treatment; low-energy ion treatment; photo-grafting and photo-curing; metallization of treated polymers; chemical (wet) functionalization of polymers; adhesion of paints to thermoplastic substrates; polymer release surfaces; nanolithography in polymer films; gas barrier properties of ceramic layers on polymers; and modification of interphase layer and relevance to adhesion.This volume and its predecessors containing plentiful information should serve as a comprehensive source of latest R&D activity in the highly technologically important arena of polymer surface modification. Anyone interested â€"centrally or peripherallyâ€" in knowing or learning about the various ways to modify polymer surfaces should find this book of immense value.