Surface functionalisation for multi-material joining: metal / polymer

Creating a reliable mechanical bond between a metal and a polymer without resorting to conventional joining solutions such as adhesive, rivets or screws. The aim is to obtain a robust connection between dissimilar materials while simplifying joining architectures.

Use of an ultrashort pulse laser texturing process that locally modifies the surface condition of the metal to promote mechanical anchoring of the polymer. The process is optimised in terms of texture and productivity through the use of a high-speed scanner and a high-power laser.

The challenge is to define an optimised surface texture enabling an effective mechanical bond between two materials with very different physico-chemical behaviours. It is also necessary to ensure fast, reproducible production on complex industrial geometries.

The solution makes it possible to produce reliable joints between dissimilar materials, with improved mechanical strength compared with conventional solutions. The process also offers a significant gain in productivity while eliminating traditional joining elements.