Abstract
A high-power excimer laser (KrF, 248 nm) was used to treat the adherend surfaces of a glass-fibre-reinforced poly(butyl terephthalate) composite for the purpose of improving adhesion quality. Two joint geometries, the lap joint and the butt joint, were investigated. It was found that, with optimum process parameters, excimer laser can be used to etch away the polymer matrix selectively and leave the fibres undamaged. The surface morophology of the laser-treated surfaces was investigated. A large improvement in lap-joint and butt-joint strengths was achieved for laser-treated surfaces compared with untreated, chemical cleaned and abraded ones. The improvement was mainly attributed to the fibres that were protruding from the matrix after the laser surface treatment process.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 151-157 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1998 |
Keywords
- A. epoxides
- B. composites
- B. surface treatment
- C. destructive testing by lap-shear joints
- D. adhesion by mechanical interlocking
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biomaterials
- General Chemical Engineering
- Polymers and Plastics