Comparison of 2D and 3D measurement methods for evaluating laser structured aluminum surfaces using fractal dimension.

The interlaminar strength of mechanically interlocked polymer-metal hybrids is strongly determined by the surface geometry at the interface. To improve the interlaminar strength, laser beam machining is among the most applied technologies for manufacturing a predefined and complex surface structure. Previously, the fractal dimension of interfaces in polymer-metal-hybrids has been introduced as scale-independent measure. It has been correlated quantitatively with the interlaminar strength using values derived from cross-sectional images. Therefore, the quality of the prediction directly depends on the accuracy of the measured surface data. However, a holistic acquisition of surface structure for the determination of the fractal dimension including 3D methods has not been investigated so far. In this study, laser machining was used to generate five different pin-structures on samples of the aluminum alloy EN AW-6082. Surface characterization was realized by light microscopy (2D), laser scanning microscopy (3D) and X-ray microscopy (3D). Subsequently, the fractal dimension was determined using a box-counting algorithm as well as slit-island method. The results show that all methods regarded are appropriate to determine the fractal dimension, but differ in the specific results. The functional characteristics of each method are described in detail and potentials for applications are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]