Effect of CFRP surface topography on the adhesion and strength of composite-composite and composite-metal joints

Manufacturing carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites via different techniques often leads to contrasting surface topographies. Such differences can affect any subsequent pre-treatments that are performed and these ultimately joint strength. In the present work, CFRP adherends made using compression moulding or autoclaving were investigated. Pre-treatment of acetone cleaning, plasma treatment, grit blasting studied. It was found patterned surfaces which had resulted from vacuum autoclave in improved performance when substrates bonded together (homogeneous bonding) compared joints formed with flatter following moulding. However, flat aluminium alloy (hybrid inferior substrates. is proposed dissimilarity topographies on metal composite negatively influences strength joint.