Buried interfaces – A systematic study to characterize an adhesive interface at multiple scales

Abstract

A comparative study of a model adhesive interface formed between laser-pretreated Ti15-3-3-3 and the thermoplastic polymer PEEK has been carried out in order to characterize the interfaces' structural details and the infiltration of the surface nano-oxide by the polymer at multiple scales. Destructive approaches such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy of microsections prepared by focused ion beam, and non-destructive imaging approaches including laser scanning and scanning electron microscopy of pretreated surfaces 1 as well as synchrotron computed tomography techniques (micro-and ptychographic tomographies) were employed for resolving the large, µm-sized melt-structures and the fine nano-oxide substructure within the buried interface. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the fine, open-porous nano-oxide homogeneously covers the larger macrostructure features, which in turn cover the joint surface. The open-porous nano-oxide forming the interface itself appears to be fully infiltrated and wetted by the polymer. No voids or even channels were detected down to the respective resolution limits of scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Unprecedented Adhesive Performance of Propylene-Based Hydroxyl-Functionalized Terpolymers

“…Although in several cases the aluminum specimen broke during the LSS test, overall, the used functionalized propylene terpolymers show a lower adhesive strength to aluminum than to steel. Most likely, differences in morphology and polarity might play an important role. , Initial surface analyses show that the polarity of the aluminum surface is higher than of the steel surface (Table S5, Table S6). More detailed studies need to be performed to elucidate the cause of this difference.…”

“…Most likely, differences in morphology and polarity might play an important role. 61,62 Initial surface analyses show that the polarity of the aluminum surface is higher than of the steel surface (Table S5, Table S6). More detailed studies need to be performed to elucidate the cause of this difference.…”

Influence of laser-generated surface micro-structuring on the intrinsically bonded hybrid system CFRP-EN AW 6082-T6 on its corrosion properties

“…4 d) presents its characteristic structure of ridges and valleys (Fig. 4 e) known for instance also from laser pretreated titanium surfaces [21]. The high roughness and functionalization, i.e., the oxide surface layers formed by laser treatment on air, leads to a dull grey shine of the treated area on the specimens.…”

Nanopositioning for the ESRF ID16A Nano-Imaging Beamline

“…The selected energies, 17 keV and 33.6 keV, are well suited for applications in biomedicine, materials science and nanotechnology. Two coherent imaging techniques, X-ray holographic [16] and ptychographic [17] tomography, provide the distribution of the electron density through phase contrast at length scales ranging from ~130 nm down to ~10 nm, while keeping a relatively large field of view. Complementary, X-ray fluorescence microscopy delivers label-free, highly efficient trace element quantification with detection limits down to subppm level [18].…”