Effect of laser surface treatment on the adhesive properties of bonded CFRP joints

Abstract

In this work, the effect of an Ytterbium fibre laser treatment on the adhesive properties of scarf bonded carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) joints has been investigated. The surfaces were scarfed and afterwards laser treated. The effect of laser treatment on the surface morphology was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The laser treatment resulted in a morphological and chemical change on the CFRP surface. The introduced thermal energy was able to partly strip and roughen up the carbon fibres. The laser treatment increased the carbon and decreased the oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur content on the surface. With the laser treatment the static and fatigue strength of the scarf bonded joints could be improved.