Materials processing with OAUGDP® includes both modifying surface properties and chemically modifiying the bulk properties of a treated object. Plastic, for example, has properties which allow the active species created by OAUGDP® to diffuse throughout the bulk of the material, and modify the chemical structure of plastic fibers. AGT's plasma technology modifies the surface properties of most items in such a way as to both clean the item and promote adhesion.
In an on-going research effort, AGT and Oak Ridge National Laboratories are working closely to investigate plasma processing technology as a means to rapidly oxidize polymeric fibers. Oxidiation of polymeric fibers is the rate limiting production step required for manufacturing carbon fibers. The goal of this research is to develop a dramatic increase in the through put and decrease production cost of manufacturing carbon fibers. Our joint research efforts have already revealed oxidation rates more than twice that of conventional oven based processing currently used by the industry.