Laser Texturing and Dissimilar Material Joining

Abstract

Laser texturing is a process used to remove material selectively. Metallic parts were processed in order to create a surface texture that enables metal-polymer joining. This kind of dissimilar joining is carried out combining a pressure fixture and heating using a direct diode laser source. In order to reach a good result, it is critical to texture the surface with correct parameters to generate surface features that maximizes the contact between materials and heating enough the materials to soften the polymer but without melting and degrading the material, so, a temperature control system is necessary to get best results. In this work, the texturing capabilities of conventional CW laser source were explored and numerical model was developed in order to simulate and control the process temperature in the joining interface.