
Henniker
Henniker, a specialist in plasma surface treatment technology, recently opened the doors on its new purpose designed plasma surface treatment and testing facility in Warrington, UK. Following rapid expansion and an increasing demand for plasma treatments from the automotive and aerospace sectors, the new facility will allow Henniker to provide routine surface treatments, process development, and both pre- and post-treatment surface testing to its clients.
Plasma treatment is a surface preparation technique. Plasma removes organic contamination from surfaces with no harmful waste or by-products and renders many surfaces hydrophilic, which in turn improves adhesion characteristics. Plasma treatment installations are currently used to improve product manufacture and finishing in areas as diverse as automotive component painting and sub-sea power connector assemblies.
In its new facility, Henniker has combined plasma treatment equipment with comprehensive surface testing facilities, including surface contamination detection and identification apparatus and also surface energy testing to ISO DIN standards using a variety of test methods such as surface test fluids and contact angle measurement techniques. Henniker says that the facilities are run by trained staff with many years practical experience in plasma and surface testing techniques and are offered to new and existing clients to assist with free proof-of-concept trials, application support and process development services.