FLUORINE PLASMA MODIFICATION OF FLEXIBLE MEMBRANE LINERS

GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION IS AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT CONCERN. THIS RESEARCH ADDRESSES THE TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATED WITH PREVENTING CONTAMINATION BY IMPROVING THE DESIGN OF POLYMER LINERS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WASTE DISPOSAL CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS. POLYMERS CURRENTLY USED FOR FLEXIBLE MEMBRANE LINERS WILL BE TREATED WITH A FLUORINE GAS PLASMA TO MODIFY THEIR FURFACES. THE NOVEL MATERIALS PRODUCED WILL RETAIN THE BULK PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ORGINAL MATERIALS, BUT WILL HAVE REDUCED GAS AND WATER PERMEABILITY,INCREASED THERMAL STABILITY, AND OZONE AND WEATHERING RESISTANCE, INCREASED CHEMICAL AND MOISTURE RESISTANCE, TO ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS AND FATS, AND INCREASED RESIST ANCE TO HYDROCARBON SOLVENTS, FUELS, AND OILS.