Structural direct joints between metal and plastic – Influences of the surface structuring on the bonding strength

Within the framework of the presented investigations, it could be shown that the suitable surface structuring of metal substrates on the basis of suitable surface structures leads to structural direct joints between metal and plastic. Not only subtractive laser structuring but also additively manufactured structural elements can be utilised in this respect. Here, the geometrical configuration of such anchoring structures exerts very great influences on the bonding strength. Therefore, this is suitable, in particular, for achieving structural joints. With both variants, optimised process management methods could be used for the production of undercuts which increase the resulting bonding strengths to a crucial extent when the joints are subjected to cross tension loads. It was possible to prove that the strengths had increased by min. 40%. In addition to the influences of the surface structuring, it is indicated that higher base material strengths of the utilised polymers have positive influences on the attainable bonding strengths.