Ultrasonic Metal Welding of Aluminium Sheets to Carbon Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites

The ultrasonic welding technology is an innovative method to produce hybrid joints for multi-material components. The investigations described in this paper were carried out using the ultrasonic metal welding technique for joining carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRP) with sheet metals like aluminium alloys or aluminium-plated steels. The achievable mechanical properties as a function of the process parameters are presented. Additionally, microscopic investigations of the bonding zone are discussed. One important advantage of ultrasonic metal welding is the possibility to realise a direct contact between the load bearing fibres of the reinforced composite and the metallic surface without destroying the carbon fibres.