Effect of surface modification on laser direct joining of cyclic olefin polymer and stainless steel

Abstract

Surface modification pretreatment on the laser-bonded joint between a cyclic olefin polymer (COP) and stainless steel (SUS304) was studied to determine its effect on improving the laser-bonded joint strength. The joint strength between the surface-modified COP and SUS304 was significantly improved compared with that of an equivalent un-treated joint. This improvement is caused by the generation of oxygen functional groups on the COP surface resulting in the improved adhesion of these groups with the oxide film formed on the SUS304 surface.As for the surface pretreatment of COP, the generation of bubbles in ultraviolet (UV)–ozone processing due to thermal degradation of the COP was more noticeable than with plasma pretreatment. Excessive surface modification of the COP, causing a decrease in joint strength was found to correlate with the surface energies of COP and SUS304.