Wetting behavior of laser-structured metallic surfaces for potential use in offset lithography

Abstract

The aim of this work is to generate two extreme wetting states on metallic surfaces by means of laser structuring/treatment and to examine the physical and chemical processes behind it. For this purpose, four different metallic samples were laser-structured and then stored in atmospheric air and examined at certain time intervals using contact angle measurement. Immediately after laser structuring, the samples have shown a superhydrophilic wetting behavior, which then changes to the opposite after 10 days at the latest and exhibit superhydrophobic wetting behavior. The samples were then subjected to a second laser treatment to produce extreme wetting behavior, similar to those of a conventional printing plate. Additionally, the topology of the samples as well as an XPS analysis was carried out. It could be shown that wetting properties for possible use in offset printing can be achieved by laser structuring and that a multiple modification of the wetting properties is possible.