Treatment of PVC using an alternative low energy ion bombardment procedure

► Effect of ion bombardment in argon plasmas on the PVC thermodynamical properties. ► Hydrophilic surfaces after treatment are ascribed to polar group incorporation and Cl loss. ► All the surfaces become hydrophobic after aging in atmospheric conditions. ► Further chemical alterations and formation of specific patterns on the surface. ► Surface properties depend on total energy deposited by ionic impacts.