Fatigue crack growth in laser-treated adhesively bonded composite joints: An experimental examination

Abstract Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are commonly used in structures which weight and strength determine energy efficiency, such as automobiles aircraft. CFRPs light weight, they provide design flexibility, low thermal expansion, high specific strength. Bonding to make larger structures, however, is problematic. Recently, laser pretreatment has been improve bonding of CFRPs. This study investigates the effects uniform surface with a on resistance secondary bonded carbon fiber reinforced mode-I fatigue crack growth. The joint limit was characterized by carrying out displacement-controlled cyclic testing treated double cantilever beam specimens. A mid-infrared-range CO 2 pulse 10.6 ? m wavelength treat CFRP substrates aim increase substrates’ thereby expand envelope for bonding. cured were uniformly either (laser-ablated) or (laser-cleaned) irradiation compared specimens that baseline Teflon film treatment their surfaces smooth. Our results show increased evaluated at threshold growth rate 10?5 mm/cycle. Furthermore, laser-ablated specimens, fibers totally exposed, achieved triple strain release value laser-cleaned samples.