Plasma Technology

Learn more about the science and technology of plasma surface treatment and surface energy

Atmospheric Plasma Treatment Explained

Atmospheric plasma treatment is ideal for in-line processing or for the plasma treatment of small areas of larger parts that would otherwise be too large for vacuum/batch processing. Atmospheric plasma is very effective at activating and cleaning the surface of a material, increasing the adhesion characteristics and making it easier to bond, paint and glue. The atmospheric plasma nozzle can be clamped to a fixed point or to a simple multi-axis robot making it ideal for industrial applications.

The relative motion between the atmospheric plasma and the workpiece during treatment ensures that there is little or no heating of the substrate. This makes the system suitable for the treatment of a wide range of materials including polymers, glass, ceramics and metals. The atmospheric plasma is formed from compressed air and does not require expensive gases for operation. A range of exit nozzles are also available for increased treatment area or for finer, more localised treatments.  The video below demonstrates the application of a dual atmospheric plasma system in an automotive setting for the removal of flashing and activation of the surface prior to painting.

Atmospheric plasma treatment effects

A scientific illustration of Henniker Plasma atmospheric plasma treatment for adhesion


Atmospheric plasma torch for the local pretreatment (cleaning, surface activation) of different materials, in this case, automotive parts in an assembly line.

Cirrus flame purple electronics c.up 3 min min1

Henniker Plasma: Atmospheric plasma treatment in the Automotive Industry

The Henniker Cirrus Atmospheric Plasma System displays localized plasma cleaning to give improved adhesion in the automotive industry. The surface is cleaned prior to the glueing step, in order to ensure a failure-free bond.

Henniker Plasma - Atmospheric Plasma Robot

Atmospheric plasma treatment is ideal for in-line processing & very effective at activating and cleaning the surface of a material, increasing the adhesion characteristics and making it easier to bond, paint and glue. Henniker's atmospheric plasma surface treatment systems can be integrated with a 3-axis robot to follow precise treatment patterns as part of an automated process..

Atmospheric plasma torches are suitable for:

  • fast, localised atmospheric plasma pre-treatment of parts prior to bonding
  • ultra-fine atmospheric plasma cleaning
  • surface activation with atmospheric plasma
  • highest quality treatments
  • localised treatments
  • very low operation cost & easy integration with automated lines

See what our customers have to say

  • "The technical team at Henniker are very knowledgeable and supportive and always approachable. I have found it a pleasure to work with them."

    Simon Baxter - BAE Systems, MAI

    BAE
  • "Henniker guided us to choose the most suitable plasma unit for our application, ensured an accelerated delivery time & guided us through the very easy setup. We obtained quality results with their unit within minutes of setup & consistent results thereafter. The support they have provided has been rapid and helpful."

    Dr Ravi Desai - Making Lab, Francis Crick Institute

    Francis Crick Institute
  • "Henniker provided our team with excellent service during the course of our work together, the plasma cleaner arrived quickly and was installed with ease, giving us visible results from the outset and confirming that we made the right decision in choosing a local UK manufacturer."

    Dr Panagiotis Manesiotis BSc MRSC - Queen’s University Belfast

    Queens Uni Belfast
  • "Our customers and operations demand reliability at every level and were a key factor in our decision to choose a UK based manufacturer of plasma treatment equipment."

    Tom Doak - Trak Microwave

    Queens Uni Belfast
  • "Henniker’s after sales support is first class. They have always been extremely responsive if we have ever had need to call on them."

    Steve Rackham - Teledyne

    Teledyne
  • "Henniker’s plasma systems have delivered tangible benefits to us right from day one. The team there are very easy to work with."

    Ian Bruce - Coopervision

    Coopervision
  • "Henniker really stood out, both in their product range and technical knowledge. They are a great company to work with."

    Karthik Nair - University of Bradford

    University of Bradford
  • "We are very impressed with the ease of use and reliability of our plasma unit and were producing results within minutes of setting it up."

    Dr Neil Wilson - Warwick University

    Warwick University
  • "Our collaborative work with the team at Henniker was a very positive experience and one that we look forward to developing further."

    Ewen Kellar - TWI

    TWI
  • "Henniker provided a tailored product to match our exact requirements. They are a pleasure to work with."

    Dr Will Shu - Heriot Watt University

    Heriot Watt University

  • Huf
  • Kingspan
  • BOC
  • Maclaren
  • Cambridge Uni
  • Warwick Uni
  • Morgan Ceramics
  • QMUL
  • University Bradford
  • BAE
  • Imperial College London
  • Heriot Watt Uni
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Henniker 3 Berkeley Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1TQ, UK

+44 (0)1925 830 771   +44 (0)1925 800 035     info@plasmatreatment.co.uk