Moisture Effects on Mechanical Performance of Laser-welded Polyamide

Abstract

Basic experimental investigations, in our case of polyamide at ‘dry-as-molded conditions’, include optical examination and mechanical performance for through transmission laser welding technology. Recent developments on laser welding of thermoplastics for automotive powertrain applications have discussed the influence of accumulated moisture on the optical and mechanical characteristics of laser welded polyamide. Results from this report provide supporting data that moisture in polyamides is not a barrier for laser welding applications, nor is detrimental for the mechanical performance of welded parts in automotive powertrain applications. Laser welding would be able to satisfy and support the basic demands of the mechanical performance of welded polyamide at various environmental and manufacturing conditions. This can only be achieved at optimized processing and weld design conditions.

Keywords

laser welding through-transmission mechanical performance polyamide nylon moisture optimization

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Kocheny, S. and Zybko, J. (2002). Three Approaches in Utilizing High Power Diode Laser to Join Thermoplastics , SPE ANTEC Proceedings, 1: 1115-1119 .

Mohiuddin, G. , Duley, W. and Uddin, N. (2002). Laser Processing of Polymers for Automotive Applications , In: Proceedings of ALAC 2003: Advanced Automotive Laser Applications, pp. 12-14 , Addendum.

Kagan, V. A. (2002). Innovations in Laser Welding of Thermoplastics: This Technology is Ready to be Commercialized , In: Automotive & Transportation Technology Congress & Exhibition, Tech. Paper 2002-01-2011, Paris, France, 20 .

Prabhakaran, R. , Kontopoulou, M. , Zak, G. , Bates, P. and Baylis, B. (2003). Laser Transmission Welding of Glass Reinforced Nylon 6, In: SAE, Tech. Paper 2003-01-1134, 10 p.

Jia, N. , Fraenkel, H. and Kagan, V. (2002). The Effects of Moisture Conditioning Methods on Mechanical Properties of Nylon 6 , SPE ANTEC Proceedings, 2: 1721-1725 .

Potente, H. , Uebbing, M. (1994). The Effects of Moisture on the Vibration Welding of Polyamide , SPE ANTEC Proceedings, 1320-1326 .

Froment, I. (1995). Vibration Welding Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 - A Comparative Study , SPE ANTEC Proceedings, 1: 1285-1289 .

Stokes, V. (2001). The Vibration and Hot-Tool Welding of Polyamides , Polymer Engineering and Science, 41: 1427-1439 .

Liu, S.-J. and Chang, I-Ta. (2002). Optimizing the Weld Strength of Ultrasonically Welded Nylon Composites , Journal of Composites Materials, 36: 611-624 .

10.

Kagan, V. (2000). Optimizing Welding Temperatures of Semi-Crystalline Thermoplastics - Memory Effects of Nylon , SPE ANTEC Proc., 1, 1288-1301 .

11.

Kagan, V. A. and Nichols, R. (2004). Recent Advantages and Challenges in Induction Welding of Reinforced Nylon in Automotive Applications , SAE International, SP-1850, pp. 109-116 .

12.

Kagan, V. A. et al. (2004). Frictionally Welded Thermoplastic Articles Having Improved Strength, U.S. Patent # 6, 726,790 B2.