Layer ablation and surface textured of Carbon fiber reinforced plastics by infrared pulsed laser

Abstract For high‐quality composite bonded repairs, the research utilized a 1064 nm infrared pulsed laser to obtain geometry and texturing surface. The impact of grinding and laser treatment (0.4, 0.7, and 1.5 J/cm 2 ) on the surface features of composite material was investigated, along with the tensile strength and failure modes. Findings demonstrated that laser treatment could significantly enhance surface roughness parameters and wetting properties compared to grinding. Additionally, an optimal laser energy density of 0.7 J/cm 2 achieves complete resin removal without fiber damage while creating a laser‐induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) based on a fiber weaving texture. The research revealed the synergistic bonding mechanism of “submicron mechanical locking” and “micron anchoring.” Laser treatment enhances the tensile strength of repaired specimens to 445 MPa, which was 90% of the original specimens, and substrate fracture was the associated failure mode. Highlights This paper applies laser technology to simultaneously achieve 3D geometry and surface texture on composites bonded repairs. A laser‐induced periodic surface structure was achieved while the resin was completely removed without carbon fiber damage. The tensile recovery rate of the laser‐treated sample was satisfied with the requirements of aircraft maintenance.