Debonding-on-demand adhesive film using internal Joule heating effect of the steel-aramid braided reinforcement

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials are widely employed as lightweight and high-strength materials. Recently, interest in reuse has increased in terms of price and environmentally friendly. In this study, a novel adhesive film that can selectively control adhesive strength was studied. This debonding-on-demand (DOD) adhesive film is stitched by stainless steel fibers to be heated up to 239.3 °C in 5 min through Joule heating. The polymeric adhesive layer in the midst of the carbon plies is thermally damaged, and then it is successfully delaminated with no further damage to the carbon fiber or CFRP matrix materials. Thermal, optical, and mechanical testing were performed on the prepared DOD film. It is noted that the optimal structure of DOD film includes electrical insulation layers, and the number of stitch lines is carefully designed for reliable bonding and debonding performance.