Rapid surface activation of carbon fibre reinforced PEEK and PPS composites by high-power UV-irradiation for the adhesive joining of dissimilar materials

Journal article (2020)

Authors

D. Quan Structural Integrity & Composites - Aerospace Engineering
Brian Deegan Henkel Ireland Operations & Research Ltd.
Lorcán Byrne ENBIO Ltd
Gennaro Scarselli University of Salento
Alojz Ivanković University College Dublin
Neal Murphy University College Dublin
Research Group
Structural Integrity & Composites (Aerospace Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 D. Quan, Brian Deegan, Lorcán Byrne, Gennaro Scarselli, Alojz Ivanković, Neal Murphy
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2020.105976
Thermoplastic composites B: Strength E: Joints/joining E: Surface treatments
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Published Date

2020-10

Language

English

Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Department

Aerospace Structures & Materials

Research Group

Structural Integrity & Composites

Abstract

Carbon fibre reinforced poly-etherether-ketone (PEEK) and poly-phenylene-sulfide (PPS) composites were rapidly surface-treated by high-power UV light, and then adhesively bonded to aluminium 2024-T3 and carbon fibre/epoxy composites. The results of a single lap-shear joint test demonstrated that a UV-treatment lasting for 5 s was sufficient to prevent joint failure occurring at the composite/adhesive interfaces in all cases, e.g. it increased the failure strength of the PPS composite/aluminium joints from 11.1 MPa to 37.5 MPa. Moreover, the composite/adhesive interfaces performed well upon an exposure of the joints to an environment of high humidity and temperature for 8 weeks. Additionally, an investigation lasting for 6 months showed no degradation of the surface functionalisation from UV-irradiation. Overall, this work highlights high-power UV-irradiation a very promising method for surface preparation of thermoplastic composites (TPCs) for adhesive joining, i.e. TPC adhesive joints with excellent structural integrity can be obtained by using this rapid, eco-friendly and low-cost surface-treatment method.