Enhancing Bond Strength Between Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic and Aluminum Alloys Through Laser Surface Treatment

Abstract

The recycling potential of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFRTP) significantly surpasses that of traditional Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics, positioning CFRTP as a preferable choice for fabricating lightweight, recyclable composite materials through heterogeneous adhesion with aluminum alloys. The employment of adhesives in crafting CFRTP-metal composites emerges as an efficient strategy, wherein the strength and performance of adhesive joints are heavily reliant on the surface characteristics of the materials involved. As such, the implementation of suitable surface treatment at the joint interface emerges as a pivotal factor in defining the quality of the joint during the bonding process. Laser surface treatment of carbon fiber composites introduces an innovative, environmentally friendly technique for effective removal of surface coatings and impurities. Furthermore, laser microtexturing modifies the surface microstructure of the material, exploiting the advantages of mechanical interlocking at the joint, thus substantially improving the shear strength of the adhesive interface. This investigation embarked on laser surface processing to elevate the joint quality of CFRTP and metals, affirming the efficacy of laser processing on enhancing the bonding of treated specimens. The experimental findings showed a significant increase in shear strength at the joint interface due to the laser processing patterns. The post-laser treated materials exhibited a maximum shear strength of 17.29 MPa, which is approximately three times stronger than the untreated specimens.