Abstract
The need for developing technology for joining dissimilar materials, particularly carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTPs) and metals for the progress of multi-material structures, is imperative. In this study, differently shaped surface nanostructures were fabricated by anodizing and etching processes using aluminum alloy A5052. A silane coupling treatment was also performed, and then CFRTP laminates with PA6 (as a matrix resin) and an aluminum alloy with a nanostructure surface were heat-welded using a hot press to prepare single lap joint specimens. Static tensile shear tests evaluated the influence of the surface nanostructure’s shape on the bonding strength and fracture morphology. The results clarified that the nanostructure of the interface improved the bonding strength and, from fracture surface observation results, changed the fracture morphology from brittle to ductile. Furthermore, crack growth observation results confirmed that the crack growth rate decreased in the specimens with a nanostructure, and the fracture toughness of the bonding interface improved, resulting in improved bonding strength.
