Methods to Enhance Adhesiveness Between Metal and Fibre Reinforced Polymer layers in Carbon-Jute Reinforced Aluminium Laminates

In general, polymer composites have no problem of interfacial bonding. But when a Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) layer is interfaced with metal layer in a Fibre Metal Laminate (FML), adhesion between metal and FRP is glways challenging. In this work, two methods are suggested to address this problem in a FML, CAJRALL (Carbon-Jute Reinforced Aluminium Laminate). Firstly, aluminium is given different surface treatments to increase its surface roughness prior to manufacture of the FML; secondly, the existing matrix is replaced with another matrix system to enhance the inter laminar adhesion. In both the cases, the Inter Laminar Shear Strength (ILSS) is evaluated as a measure of bonding between the metal and FRP. Grit blasting is found to be the best surface treatment technique for improved adhesion which is demonstrated through micro structural analysis and epoxy resin when coupled with Amino Propyltriethoxy Silane (APS), is used as matrix enhances inter laminar adhesion.