TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 772/2004
S Rostami and I A Jones
Background
The Clearweld® process for welding thermoplastics with lasers was invented in 1998 at TWI. The process enables welding of similar thermoplastics, up to many millimetres thick, by transmission of laser radiation to a joint interface with minimal absorption in the substrates. It was clear that for commercial acceptance and use of the Clearweld process more information is required, particularly in terms of providing an effective and efficient means of applying the absorber material to the joint in preparation for welding.
Objectives
- Compare different techniques for applying absorber material for use in the Clearweld process.
- Experimentally assess the quality of welds by measuring weld strength and depth of weld.
- Provide guidance, in the form of a software programme, on the amount and type of absorber and the principal process variables that should be used in a given application, including deposition method and amount to be used, laser power and welding speed.