Enhancing the Adhesion Strength of Polymer-Based Joints via Atomic Layer Deposition Surface Modifications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Engineering
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Improving adhesion in polymer-based components is crucial for their use in structural applications.
• Atomic layer deposition (ALD) offers precise surface modification for enhanced material performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness of ALD surface modification on 3D-printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)-like single lap shear joints.
• To analyze the impact of different ALD-deposited oxides (Al2O3, TiO2, ZnO) on adhesion performance.

Main Methods:

• ALD was used to deposit oxide layers (Al2O3, TiO2, ZnO) onto 3D-printed ABS-like single lap shear joints.
• Surface characterization techniques were employed to analyze morphological and chemical changes.
• Mechanical testing (shear strength, strain at failure, toughness) was performed to evaluate adhesion performance.

Main Results:

• ALD surface modification significantly improved shear strength, strain at failure, and toughness of the joints.
• Enhancements were attributed to increased surface energy and the formation of mechanical interlocking features (wrinkled patterns).
• Different oxides exhibited distinct growth mechanisms (surface deposition vs. vapor phase infiltration) and influenced surface morphology and mechanical response.

Conclusions:

• ALD is a versatile surface treatment for enhancing the adhesion of polymer-based materials.
• ALD-modified polymers show potential for advanced bonding strategies in high-performance applications.
• Understanding ALD growth mechanisms is key to optimizing surface properties for specific applications.