Our 1003 Research Project Is Completed!

Our large-scale 1003 project titled “The application and optimization of atmospheric plasma activation technique onto large-scale thermoset and thermoplastic composite adhesion systems using robotized multiple nozzle heads” is completed officially on 26th October 2023. The closure report was submitted on September 1st, 2023.

The project team included Dr. Serra Topal (Sabanci University IMC CTCE) as PI, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bertan Beylergil (Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University), Dr. Cem Öztürk (Kordsa A.S.), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burcu Saner Okan (Sabanci University) and 2 PhD and 2 MSc students.

Within the scope of the project,

• the effect of atmospheric plasma activation on the overlap regions of bonded systems for aerospace grade thermosetting and high Tg thermoplastics CFRPs are demonstrated on laboratory level
• CFRTP composites with AFP-production and autoclave consolidation are demonstrated, their ASTM standard coupon & bonded system testings are completed
• Low void content CF/PEI composite production with vacuum assisted hot press consolidation is succeeded and their ASTM standard coupon & bonded system tests are completed
• Thermoset- and thermoplastics-compatible adhesive film development and prototyping stages are completed, successful serial production is achieved
• Numerous research articles are submitted and published.

1. Yildirim C., Tabrizi I.E., Al-Nadhari A., Topal S., Beylergil B., Yildiz M., “Characterizing damage evolution of CF/PEKK composites under tensile loading through multi-instrument structural health monitoring techniques”, Composites: Part A, September 2023, 107817. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2023.107817
2. Yildirim C., Ulus H., Beylergil B., Al-Nadhari A., Topal S., Yildiz M., “Effect of atmospheric plasma treatment on Mode-I and Mode-II fracture toughness properties of adhesively bonded carbon fiber/PEKK composite joints”, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 289: July 2023, Article ID 109463. DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109463

We would like to thank you to the team from the earliest stages of proposing, writing and conducting this project and the funding institution Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), its staff and our Project Office staff for their support.