Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
An enhancement of the adhesion between copper and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has been studied. Thin-films of copper were electron-beam deposited on the surface of the polymer substrates. Peel test measurements showed that, without any treatment of the substrates, the adhesion was poor with a peel strength of 1–2 g/mm. A pronounced enhancement of the adhesion has been obtained when the fluorocarbon substrates were treated by either an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, an ion-beam presputtering prior to the metal deposition, or heat treatments after the deposition. Among the treatments employed, the ion-beam sputtering was the most effective in improving the adhesion. The roles of the treatments and possible reasons for the enhanced adhesion are discussed in conjunction with the studies of interface morphology and chemistry using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.