Dr. Karthik Ramani
Polymer Bonded Systems, Materials, and Mechanics
Dr. Ramani showed many examples of composite materials, including a leaf spring, helicopter blade, orthodonic implant,
othorpedic implant, metal-FRC bonds, and metal-PVP-metal bonds. Facilities at Purdue University's
Composite & Polyment Processing Laboratory include injection molding, pultrusion, controlled adhesive bonding
equipment, and various analytical tools. Polymer-metal adhesives are most effective when the surface is rough on a macro
scale, but smooth in the 30-40 micrometer realm. Anodization is an excellent aid to adhesion for many metal-composite joints.
A process developed at CPPL combining injection molding with induction heating greatly contributes to joint life.
The lab has performed extensive studies of polymer-metal joints and their degradation with time.