Enhancement of interfacial adhesion based on nanostructured alumina/aluminum laminates

Abstract Adhesive methods can enhance the dynamic impact resistance of composite armor systems. We employed nanostructured interfacial adhesion to improve the bonding strength of alumina/aluminum laminates. ZnO nanowires and anodized aluminum oxide nanoholes were fabricated on alumina and aluminum surfaces, respectively, to increase the surface area and roughness of adhered surfaces. These substrates were bonded to form an alumina/aluminum laminated armor. Effects of nanostructured interfacial adhesion were evaluated by performing drop-weight impact tests. Permanent deformations of the aluminum back plate bonded with nanostructured interfacial adhesion were smaller than in laminates without such adhesion. In addition, nanohole-structured bonding was more effective than nanowire-structured bonding.