Surface preparation of stainless steel 316L, bronze CW451K and titanium Ti6Al4V for bonding to polyurethane in marine cable connector assemblies

Grit-blasting of stainless steel 316L, bronze CW451K and titanium Ti6Al4V used in marine/offshore cable connectors is described. For the former, no change in roughness was observed when using brown angular Al(2)O(3) or black SiC grit of the same particle size. Finer SiC grit produced less rough surfaces. Blast pressure increased stainless steel roughness using SiC, although this was largely unchanged using Al(2)O(3). Increased grit-embedment was observed using Al(2)O(3) grit, which led to decreased bond strength to over-moulded primer and polyurethane. Ti6Al4V and stainless steel yielded the same roughness using Al(2)O(3), although bronze had a rougher surface. Grit-embedment decreased in the order stainless steel>bronze>Ti6Al4V, in line with hardness values.