Effect of anodizing on direct joining properties of aluminium alloy and plastic sheets by friction lap joining

We have proposed a novel joining process, friction lap joining (FLJ), to join metallic material sheet directly to polymer sheet and have investigated mechanical and metallurgical properties of these dissimilar joints. The joining mechanism is discussed with an evaluation of the TEM microstructure at the joint interface between A2017 aluminium alloy and two kinds of polymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), and high density polyethylene (PE). EAA sheet was easily joined to an as-received aluminium alloy sheet by FLJ, because EAA had a polar functional group, COOH. On the contrary, PE was not able to be joined to an as-received aluminium alloy, because PE had no polar functional group. However, anodizing of aluminium alloy was effective to join these materials by the assistance of the anchor effect.