Development of a Multi-Probe Kelvin Scanner Device for Industrially-Relevant Characterization of Surface-Activated Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites

<p>Carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composites are becoming increasingly attractive materials in manufacturing due to their lightweight nature, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance. Surface activation of these materials is usually required during processing to increase the bond strength of assemblies (aerospace and automotive industries) or improve adhesion with implants (biomedical industry). Industrially-relevant, nondestructive quality control methods for assessing the activation state of these materials do not currently exist, however. Applying principles discovered through the use of scanning probe microscopy, a multiple-probe Kelvin scanning (MPKS) device has been developed that can assess the uniformity of the activation state of plasma-treated CFRTP surfaces. The device can distinguish between control and plasma-treated samples and its measurements have been correlated with shear bond strength of epoxy-bonded assemblies. With the multiple probes increasing measurement speed, the automated device can be scaled for use in manufacturing-relevant environments and improve upon current quality control practices.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Simon, Kirby

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Elijah Thimsen
• Dr. Guy Genin, Dr. Patricia Weisensee

• Carbon fiber composites
• surface activation
• aerospace
• quality control
• bond strength
• non-destructive
• Engineering
• Maintenance Technology
• Manufacturing
• Polymer and Organic Materials
• Structures and Materials

Statement dc:rights

• I have not registered my thesis with the U.S. Copyright Office, and do not intend to.

Language dc:language

English (en)

Identifier

https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/eng_etds/427

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openscholarship.wustl.edu:eng_etds-1472