Title: UV LASER SURFACE PREPARATION FOR COMPOSITE PARTS

Authors: Marc J. Froning, Scott L. Helm, Matthew C. Johnson, Ashley C. Tracey, Fei Cai, Sohail J. Nassiri, Kay Y. Blohowiak

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.23.0221

Abstract: The increased use of structural polymer composites drives the need for reliable, environmentally friendly, and ergonomic surface preparation methods for adhesion of coatings, sealants, and adhesives. Traditional abrasive surface preparation processes, including sanding, grinding, and grit blasting, are labor intensive, often causing ergonomic injuries, generally use volatile organic compound (VOC) solvent and generate haz-mat waste, have limited quality control, and can result in substrate damage.
Recent improvements in lasers, optics, and automation technologies have enabled advanced manufacturing processes such as laser surface treatment, where parameters are tuned to energetically prepare the surface without damaging the substrate. A promising laser surface treatment method uses a pulsed ultraviolet laser with a 355 nm wavelength to prepare composite surfaces for primer, topcoat, and sealant adhesion. Testing suggests that the process can be accomplished at rates faster than competing technologies, with adhesion tests passing on a wide variety of composite materials and coating systems. The process can uniquely provide either efficient wide area coverage or only target specific locations. Depth of material removal can be controlled within microns, improving quality and reducing risk of substrate damage. The high degree of process control, large depth of field, and wide range of effective parameter settings make lasers well-suited for automation. In this study, opportunities for surface preparation of composite parts will be described.

References: 1. Palmieri, F.L., et al., “Laser Ablation Surface Preparation of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Adhesive Bonding,” in SAMPE 2013, Long Beach, CA, 2013. 2. Palmieri, F.L., et al., “Optimization of Picosecond Laser Parameters for Surface Treatment of Composites Using a Design of Experiments (DOE) Approach,” in SAMPE 2018, Long Beach, 2018. 3. Tracey, A.C., et al., “Bonding the Unbondable: Thermoplastics!” in CAMX 2017, Orlando, FL, 2017. 4. ASTM D3359, “Standard Test Methods for Rating Adhesion by Tape Test,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2022.

Conference: SAMPE 2023

Publication Date: 2023/04/17

SKU: TP23-0000000221

Pages: 14

Price: $28.00