Laser Shock Wave Techniques in Adhesion Testing and Composite Evaluation
Summary
Laser shock wave methods have emerged as powerful non-contact approaches for assessing interfacial adhesion and integrity in coated metals and composite assemblies. In these techniques, a high-intensity pulsed laser irradiates a surface, generating a plasma that launches a controlled shock wave into the material. The resulting tensile stresses at interfaces or within layered structures can trigger spallation or delamination, the onset of which is detected by optical interferometry or microscopic examination. This rapid and localised loading enables quantitative evaluation of bond strength, fatigue resistance and fracture mechanisms without the need for mechanical fixtures or adhesives. In composite evaluation, the anisotropic microstructure of fibre-reinforced laminates influences shock-wave propagation and energy absorption, offering insights into damage initiation and propagation paths. Across aerospace, automotive and energy sectors, laser-based shock techniques support certification of structural bonds, guide optimisation of adhesive formulations and facilitate disassembly of multi-material components for recycling. Recent advances in numerical modelling and real-time diagnostics have further enhanced precision, allowing the tailoring of laser parameters to specific material systems and bonding configurations.
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Laser Shock Wave Techniques in Adhesion Testing and Composite Evaluation publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in laser shock wave techniques in adhesion testing and composite evaluation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Laser shock peening (LSP): A surface treatment using laser-induced shock waves to induce compressive stresses and improve fatigue life.
Spallation: The process of material layer ejection when tensile stresses exceed interfacial or cohesive strength.
Cohesive zone model (CZM): A numerical scheme that represents fracture processes by defining traction–separation laws at interfaces.
Finite element model (FE model): A computational approach that discretises structures into elements to simulate stress, strain and wave propagation.
Interfacial adhesion strength: The maximum tensile stress an interface can sustain before delamination or failure occurs.
References
- Analytical and Numerical Modeling of Stress Field and Fracture in Aluminum/Epoxy Interface Subjected to Laser Shock Wave: Application to Paint Stripping. Materials (2022).
- A Laser Shock-Based Disassembly Process for Adhesively Bonded Ti/CFRP Parts. Processes (2023).
- Nickel–silicon interfacial adhesion strength measured by laser spallation. Journal of Applied Physics (2024).
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