Optimization of Laser-Assisted Polypropylene Aluminum Joining
Laser joining of polymers to metals is a rising research subject due to the potential of considerably reducing the weight of structures. This article deals with the laser joining process between polypropylene and aluminum. Without pre-treatment, laser joining of these materials is not feasible, and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/6/3582 |
| _version_ | 1797613736427520000 |
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| author | Mahdi Amne Elahi Anthony Marozzi Peter Plapper |
| author_facet | Mahdi Amne Elahi Anthony Marozzi Peter Plapper |
| author_sort | Mahdi Amne Elahi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Laser joining of polymers to metals is a rising research subject due to the potential of considerably reducing the weight of structures. This article deals with the laser joining process between polypropylene and aluminum. Without pre-treatment, laser joining of these materials is not feasible, and the method applied in this study to circumvent this issue is a surface modification of aluminum with a pulsed laser to create mechanical interlocking for the heat conduction laser joining technique. Different patterns and various laser parameters are analyzed with the design of experiments to best understand the effects of each parameter along with microscopic observations. It is found that engraving weakens the mechanical properties of the aluminum samples. The compromise between the engraving depth and the mechanical properties of the samples is optimized, and the engraving process with a 0.28 mm line width, 27.3% density and 150 mm/s speed provides the highest mechanical performance of the assembly with minimum degradation of aluminum samples. Moreover, by adjusting the laser power and using power modulation below 300 W, the decomposition of polypropylene occurring at high temperatures is reduced to a minimum. After the final optimization, the joined samples reliably withstand a maximum force of 1500 N, which is, approximately, a shear strength of 20 MPa. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:58:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c4588c7fd6884c7ba438fabace381246 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:58:55Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-c4588c7fd6884c7ba438fabace3812462023-11-17T09:23:48ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-03-01136358210.3390/app13063582Optimization of Laser-Assisted Polypropylene Aluminum JoiningMahdi Amne Elahi0Anthony Marozzi1Peter Plapper2Kirchberg Campus, Faculty of Science, Technology, and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Rue Coudenhove-Kalergi, L-1359 Luxembourg, LuxembourgKirchberg Campus, Faculty of Science, Technology, and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Rue Coudenhove-Kalergi, L-1359 Luxembourg, LuxembourgKirchberg Campus, Faculty of Science, Technology, and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Rue Coudenhove-Kalergi, L-1359 Luxembourg, LuxembourgLaser joining of polymers to metals is a rising research subject due to the potential of considerably reducing the weight of structures. This article deals with the laser joining process between polypropylene and aluminum. Without pre-treatment, laser joining of these materials is not feasible, and the method applied in this study to circumvent this issue is a surface modification of aluminum with a pulsed laser to create mechanical interlocking for the heat conduction laser joining technique. Different patterns and various laser parameters are analyzed with the design of experiments to best understand the effects of each parameter along with microscopic observations. It is found that engraving weakens the mechanical properties of the aluminum samples. The compromise between the engraving depth and the mechanical properties of the samples is optimized, and the engraving process with a 0.28 mm line width, 27.3% density and 150 mm/s speed provides the highest mechanical performance of the assembly with minimum degradation of aluminum samples. Moreover, by adjusting the laser power and using power modulation below 300 W, the decomposition of polypropylene occurring at high temperatures is reduced to a minimum. After the final optimization, the joined samples reliably withstand a maximum force of 1500 N, which is, approximately, a shear strength of 20 MPa.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/6/3582laser joiningthermal degradationlaser engravingdesign of experiments |
| spellingShingle | Mahdi Amne Elahi Anthony Marozzi Peter Plapper Optimization of Laser-Assisted Polypropylene Aluminum Joining Applied Sciences laser joining thermal degradation laser engraving design of experiments |
| title | Optimization of Laser-Assisted Polypropylene Aluminum Joining |
| title_full | Optimization of Laser-Assisted Polypropylene Aluminum Joining |
| title_fullStr | Optimization of Laser-Assisted Polypropylene Aluminum Joining |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimization of Laser-Assisted Polypropylene Aluminum Joining |
| title_short | Optimization of Laser-Assisted Polypropylene Aluminum Joining |
| title_sort | optimization of laser assisted polypropylene aluminum joining |
| topic | laser joining thermal degradation laser engraving design of experiments |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/6/3582 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mahdiamneelahi optimizationoflaserassistedpolypropylenealuminumjoining AT anthonymarozzi optimizationoflaserassistedpolypropylenealuminumjoining AT peterplapper optimizationoflaserassistedpolypropylenealuminumjoining |