Institut Fur Mikrotechnik Mainz Gmbh

Jens Hossfeld

Ines Frese

The invention relates to a method of waterproofing the surface of a polymer work piece. The aim of the invention is to prevent liquid or gaseous, hydroxyl-group (OH group) containing substances, such as water, vapor or glycerol, from diffusing into a polymer surface. To this end, the work piece is treated with at least one organic solvent that blisters the surface of the polymer work piece, thereby diffusing at least one waterproofing agent dissolved in the solvent into the surface of the polymer work piece, said waterproofing agent being a silicon-organic compound. The solvent is allowed to react and is then removed from the polymer work piece, whereby at least a part of the waterproofing agent remains bound in the surface of the polymer work piece. The inventive method provides a means for treating, in one steep bath, polymer work pieces or work pieces with polymer surfaces of any shape and size and also polymer surfaces with cavities and bulges in a simple and cost-effective manner, requiring only small quantities of the waterproofing agent and extremely little time. The so treated polymer work piece can be used in areas of high temperature and/or regions with high ambient temperatures.

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Rosbach, Germany

Jens Hossfeld