Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which has done intensive research into carbon fiber, has developed a surface preparation method to improve joining the composites with aluminum. The ramifications are potentially far-reaching for high-volume industrial applications.
ORNL came into the national spotlight when it helped make possible Local Motors’ first 3D-printed car. More recently, it’s developed a fast, cheap, industrial-grade, structural carbon fiber production method it’s sharing with US manufacturers via a licensing program.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Jian Chen (left) and Adrian Sabau work with a laser to prepare the surfaces of carbon fiber composites and aluminum before joining. This new surface preparation technique creates superior bonds that can absorb 200% more energy than bonds made with conventional preparation techniques.
(Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
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