Measurement of metallic coatings adhesion to fibre reinforced plastic materials

Two tests have been developed to characterise the adhesion of copper coatin gs to thin carbon fibre reinforced polymer substrates. The multi-layer thre e-point bending test (ML-TPB) is dimensioned so that the fracture is initia ted by an interfacial shear stress. The multi-layer double cantilever beam test (ML-DCB) is a crack propagation test derived from the interlaminar fra cture test used for composite materials, giving access to the adhesion ener gy. Experimental results show that the adhesion of copper coating is not se nsitive to the ageing of the thermoplastic bond coat. An optimal coating th ickness of 100 mu m was determined with regard to the coating adhesion. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.