Peel ply surface treatment for composite assemblies: Chemistry and morphology effects

Glass/epoxy and carbon/epoxy composites were manufactured using a series of polyester and polyamide based peel ply treatments. The influence of peel ply removing upon surface characteristics was assessed with performing contact angle measurements, laser profilometry, SEM and ToF-SIMS analysis. The surface properties of the composite material prior to bonding and the single lap shear performances of resulting assemblies were compared, in order to elucidate the decisive parameters governing adhesion qualities. From a general point of view, the roughness and the chemical nature of the peel ply used strongly influence the properties of the adherent–adhesive system assembly.