Laser-based modification of wettablility for carbon fiber reinforced plastics

This paper presents a laser-based technique for surface preparation of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) for bonded repair. Ablative and non-ablative treatment of the surface is produced by variation of laser power and the resulting surface energy determined by goniometric measurements.Wettability has been directly related to a calculated wetting envelope. The investigations show an additional major influence of the surface topography on the shear strength of the joint. The direction of the applied laser lines in relation to the fiber direction was identified as an essential influence for this roughness. A ns IR-laser demonstrates high potential for surface preparation as well as for selective ply removal. The laser prepared surfaces are examined through optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and contact angle measurements. The wettability studies show a significant increment in surface energy after laser treatment, in relation to non-treated as well as surface grinding samples.