Lightweight Vehicles - Bonding for dissimilar materials with Openair-Plasma^®

In the transportation industry, weight reduction is critical to improving energy efficiency and emission levels. This goal of weight reduction has led to increased use of lightweight materials and has undeniably become a driving force in many areas of transportation in recent years.

Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP), for example, are two notable lightweight materials that offer high stiffness and strength while allowing the production of very thin structures. Mechanical fasteners can cause severe strength loss and damage to some composites, so a preferred method of joining them is by using an adhesive bond. Clean and activated surfaces are critical to the strength of this bond.  Composites are typically nonpolar and therefore difficult to bond, however, increasing surface energy through the use of plasma, dramatically improves the bonding properties.

Additives are also needed for more flexible materials and molded parts.  This means that these additives can rise to the surface and cause contamination and bonding defects - Plasmatreat removes these additives and creates a microfine, clean surface for better bonding.

Fast and reliable inline surface pretreatment is a prerequisite for achieving the best possible bonds.

Learn more about Openair-Plasma^® and its benefits:

•     Optimization of bonding issues during material changes for wider process windows.
•     Solve bond problems by cleaning and activating surfaces
•     By eliminating surface energy concerns, new materials can be considered for applications.
•     Offering a fully automated and controlled inline process
•     Using our R&D labs to select new processes and materials and to ensure the required bonding quality

In this free PlasmaTalk, Tim Smith will present the key benefits of Openair Plasma^® applications for composites. Surface activation and cleaning in the manufacturing of lightweight products are key factors to ensure high product quality and reliability.

The webinar will last between 40 and 60 minutes, including a question and answer session. If you have a specific issue or question, please send your question to academy@plasmatreat.com prior to the webinar so we can include it in the program.