Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Carbon Fibre to Aluminium Bonding

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic19922.aspx

By DaveWB - 12/2/2015 4:23:34 PM

Hi,

I'm looking to make a set of Carbon Fibre wishbones using tubes with aluminium bonded inserts.

Does anyone have any advice when it comes to bonding the aluminium to the carbon fibre to prevent pull out under high loads?

Specifically I am looking for advice on which glue to use and how to prepare the surface.

Thanks,

Dave
By Dravis - 12/8/2015 3:21:16 PM

I have done extensive tests on bonding both Aluminium, stainless steel and Titanium to (and into) CF Epoxy based laminates and parts..

I did not get any improvement when using etching on any of the metals.   A good thorough  "scoring" of the surfaces with abrasives as coarse as 80 grit seems the most effective.

The "cyano-acrylate" based "superglues" such as "Vuduglu" Black and the Araldite Epoxy glues give bonds so strong that usually the laminates fail before the bonds. Even normal laminating Epoxy with high density filler and Carbon fibre filler gives a very strong bond.
In the case of bonding in tubing ends, most of the mechanical load will be in directions where the tubing itself will "carry" most of the load.. (depending on the intended use of the tubes)

I recommend reinforcing the outside of the tubing by winding on some kevlar tow with laminating epoxy, over the part where the metal is bonded inside the tube.