Modification of Steel Surfaces with Nanometer Films of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ Decreases Interfacial Adhesion to Polymers: Implications for Demolding Shape-Engineered Polymer Products

Alumina (Al2O3) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films were deposited by the atomic layer deposition technique on steel substrates used in the polymer injection molding industry. The modified steel surfaces were systematically characterized by SEM, EDS, AFM, XPS, and OCA. Surface energy values were obtained to predict the demolding behavior of modified steel surfaces when in contact with different polymers. The lowest surface energy was obtained...