Experimental design investigation of through-transmission laser welding of dissimilar polymers

Abstract

In the present study, the laser weldability of several types of dissimilar polymers couples are investigated using the experimental design method. This experimental strategy allowed to quantify the influence of the operating parameters on the failure force of the welded specimens. Some preliminary tests were used in order to find the initial conditions for the design of the experimental matrices. Based on the conclusions drawn from these preliminary tests, exploratory experimental designs were used to advance towards the optimum for each couple of polymeric materials. The polymeric materials considered were: ABS and PA11 with different pigments and thickness. One could note that the laser power used is the most important parameter on the mechanical resistance and the weldability is assured in a narrow interval of power laser. An important clamping pressure and two laser passages are useful to improve the performances of the weld strength.