Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Laser-Based Surface Modification of Microstructure for Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastics

  • Published:
Lasers in Manufacturing and Materials Processing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bonding repair is a powerful feature of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP). Based on the theory of interface bonding, the interface adhesion strength and reliability of the CFRP structure will be directly affected by the microscopic features of the CFRP surface, including the microstructure, physical, and chemical characteristics. In this paper, laser-based surface modification was compared to Peel-ply, grinding, and polishing to comparatively evaluate the surface microstructure of CFRP. The surface microstructure, morphology, fiber damage, height and space parameters were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser confocal microscopy (LCM). Relative to the conventional grinding process, laser modification of the CFRP surface can result in more uniform resin removal and better processing control and repeatability. This decreases the adverse impact of surface fiber fractures and secondary damage. The surface properties were significantly optimized, which has been reflected such things as the obvious improvement of surface roughness, microstructure uniformity, and actual area. The improved surface microstructure based on laser modification is more conducive to interface bonding of CFRP structure repair. This can enhance the interfacial adhesion strength and reliability of repair.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fischer, F., Kreling, S., Dilger, K.: Surface structuring of CFRP by using modern excimer laser sources. Phys. Procedia. 39, 154–160 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Soutis, C.: Fibre reinforced composites in aircraft construction. Prog. Aerosp. Sci. 41(2), 143–151 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Schmutzler, H., Popp, J., Büchter, E., Wittich, H., Schulte, K., Fiedler, B.: Improvement of bonding strength of scarf-bonded carbon fibre epoxy laminates by NdYAG laser surface activation. Compos. Part A. 67, 123–130 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Benard, Q., Fois, M., Grisel, M., Laurens, P., Joubert, F.J.: Influence of the polymer surface layer on the adhesion of polymer matrix composites. J. Thermoplast. Compos. Mater. 22(1), 51–61 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Kühn, G., Retzko, I., Lippitz, A., Unger, W., Friedrich, J.: Homofunctionalized polymer surfaces formed by selective plasma processes. Surf. Coat. Technol. 142-144, 494–500 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Whittingham, B., Baker, A.A., Harman, A., Bitton, D.: Micrographic studies on adhesively bonded scarf repairs to thick composite aircraft structure. Compos. Part A. 40, 1419–1432 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Tian, L.S., Zhu, L., Cheetham, S., Dilworth, S., Lin, L.: Laser abrading of carbon fiber reinforced composite for improving paint adhesion. Appl. Phys. A Mater. Sci. Process. 117, 1045–1054 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bénard, Q., Fois, M., Grisel, M., Laurens, P.: Surface treatment of carbon-epoxy and glass-epoxy composites by an excimer laser beam. Int. J. Adhes. Adhes. 26(7), 543–549 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Gotoh, K., Kikuchi, S.: Improvement of wettability and detergency of polymeric materials by excimer UV treatment. Colloid Polym. Sci. 283(12), 1356–1360 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sakata, F.Y., Santo, A.M.E., Miyakawa, W., Riva, R., Lima, M.S.F.: Influence of laser surface texturing on surface microstructure and mechanical properties of adhesive joined steel sheets. Surf. Eng. 25, 180–186 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Samad-Zadeh, A., Harsono, M., Belikov, A.V., Shatilova, K.V., Skripnik, A., Stark, P.C., Egles, C., Kugel, G.: The influence of laser-textured dentinal surface on bond strength. Dent. Mater. 27(10), 1038–1044 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Yasa, E., Kruth, J.P.: Investigation of laser and process parameters for selective laser Erosion. Precis. Eng. 34(1), 101–112 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Fischer, F., Kreling, S., Jäschke, P., Frauenhofer, M., Kracht, D., Dilger, K.: Laser surface pre-treatment of CFRP for adhesive bonding in consideration of the absorption behavior. J. Adhes. 88(4-6), 350–363 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Völkermeyer, F., Fischer, F., Stute, U., Kracht, D.: LiM 2011 laser-based approach for bonded repair of carbon fiber reinforced plastics: lasers in manufacturing 2011. Phys. Procedia. 12, 537–542 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Völkermeyer, F., Jaeschke, P., Stute, U., Kracht, D.: Laser-based modification of wettablility for carbon fiber reinforced plastics. J Appl Phys A Mater Sci Process. 112(1), 179–183 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Wolynskia, A., Herrmanna, T., Muchab, P., Halouic, H., L’huillier, J.: Laser ablation of CFRP using picosecond laser pulses at different wavelengths from UV to IR. Phys. Procedia. 12, 292–301 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Be’nard Q, Fois M, Grisel M, Laurens P (2004) Excimer laser surface treatment as an innovative way to control composite materials adhesion performance. In: Proceedings of the 7th Euradh. Freiburg, Germany, September, pp. 132–137

  18. Genna S, Tagliaferri F, Papa I, Leone C, Palumbo B (2016) Experimental investigation on CFRP milling by low power Q-switched Yb:YAG laser source. In: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on “Times of Polymers And Composites”. AIP Conference Proceedings, May, pp. 611–634

  19. Leone, C., Genna, S., Tagliaferri, V.: Fibre laser cutting of CFRP thin sheets by multi-passes scan technique. Opt. Lasers Eng. 53, 43–50 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Leone, C., Papa, I., Tagliaferri, F., Lopresto, V.: Investigation of CFRP laser milling using a 30 W Q-switched Yb:YAG fiber laser: effect of process parameters on removal mechanisms and HAZ formation. Compos. Part A. 55, 129–142 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Rotel, M., Zahavi, J., Tamir, S., Buchman, A., Dodiuk, H.: Pre-bonding technology based on excimer laser surface treatment. Appl. Surf. Sci. 154-155, 610–616 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Li, Z.L., Zheng, H.Y., Lim, G.C., Chu, P.L., Li, L.: Study on UV laser machining quality of carbon fibre reinforced composites. Compos. Part A. 41(10), 1403–1408 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Fischer, F., Romoli, L., Kling, R.: Laser-based repair of carbon fiber reinforced plastics. CIRP Ann. 59(1), 203–206 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Man, H.C., Li, M., Yue, T.M.: Surface treatment of thermoplastic composites with an excimer laser. Int. J. Adhes. 18(3), 151–157 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, NSFC (U1233202) and Civil Aviation Administration of China, CAAC (201240).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aviation Engineering Institute, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan, 618307, Sichuan, China

    Wenfeng Yang, Ting Sun, Shaolong Li, Chang Liu & Qingru Tang

  2. School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China

    Yu Cao

Authors
  1. Wenfeng Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ting Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yu Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shaolong Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Chang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Qingru Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wenfeng Yang.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of Interest

None.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yang, W., Sun, T., Cao, Y. et al. Laser-Based Surface Modification of Microstructure for Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastics. Lasers Manuf. Mater. Process. 5, 168–181 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40516-018-0060-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40516-018-0060-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation