CFRP laser texturing to increase the adhesive bonding: morphological analysis of treated surfaces

Surface roughness of the adherends represents an important factor for manufacturing a reliable bonded joint in structural applications. In case of bonding of parts in carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), an increase of roughness parameters can be obtained with various techniques. In this paper, the morphology obtained from a CO2 laser texturing on CFRP laminates were investigated. CFRP laminates were manufactured and subjected to laser texturing with various densities. In particular, the densities of treatment have been defined as a function of the grid dimensions of the texture. Subsequently, non-contact measurements were carried out to evaluate the evolution of the surface roughness parameters as a function of the density of the laser treatment. Results showed a strong correlation between surface roughness and density of treatment. In conclusion, these results were compared with experimental tests, which showed that the mechanical performance for ENF bonded joints was limited only by the flexural mechanical resistance of the CFRP adherends. As a result of this work, the developed laser texturing approach is potentially able to increase the mechanical resistance in the function of the real local load acting on the complex bonded joint, optimizing time and cost process.