Effects of coating composition and surface pre-treatment on the adhesion of organic–inorganic hybrid coatings to low density polyethylene (LDPE) films

Organic–inorganic hybrid coatings, obtained through the sol–gel chemistry from tetraethoxysilane and polyethylene–poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymer, have been prepared in different compositions and applied to untreated and plasma treated LDPE films by spin coating. The mechanical properties of the coatings and the adhesion between coating and substrate have been characterized by fragmentation test. An increase in coating strength, elongation at break and adhesion has been observed with increasing the organic fraction in the hybrid coating. A plasma treatment of the LDPE surface, just before the application of the coating, lead to an increase of the adhesion between coating and substrate (interfacial shear strength), leaving almost unaffected coating strength and strain at fragmentation onset.