Effect of Adherend Thickness on Near-Field Ultrasonic Welding of Single-Lap CF/LMPAEK Thermoplastic Composite Joints

Ultrasonic welding is a fast and promising joining technique for thermoplastic composite parts. Understanding how changing the part thickness affects the process is crucial to its future upscaling and industrialization. This article presents an initial insight into the effect of the adherend’s thickness on the near-field ultrasonic welding of CF...

Continuous Ultrasonic Welding of Thermoplastic Composites: An experimental study towards understanding factors influencing weld quality

One of the most promising welding techniques for thermoplastic composites is ultrasonic welding. It is mainly known as a spot welding technique. The relatively new technology continuous ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites makes it possible to obtain large fully welded seams with higher load carrying capabilities. However, at the start...

Future Plans for the Development of an Industrialized Continuous Ultrasonic Welding Process

The need for robust joining methods for thermoplastic composites increases since the usage of these materials expands steadily in the aerospace industry. Continuous ultrasonic welding has been demonstrated in the recent years as one of the most promising joining techniques for thermoplastic composites to fulfill this need. This paper presents...

Disassembly of fusion bonded thermoplastic composite joints aided by induction heating: Effects of induction heating on disassembly force and damage patterns

Disassembly of fusion bonded joints aided by induction heating was investigated. Single-lap shear experiments were performed while heating the joint with an induction coil to research the effect on force required and damage inflicted during disassembly. Co-consolidated CF/PEEK samples with and without a metal mesh susceptor and ultrasonically...

Robotic sequential ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites: Process development and testing

Multi-spot sequential ultrasonic welding is a promising joining technique for fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites structures (TPC). In existing research on the multi-spot sequential ultrasonic welding process, welds are produced through the use of a static table-top welding machine, at a coupon level. However, in order to apply this...