Ultrasonic welding of carbon/epoxy and carbon/PEEK composites through a PEI thermoplastic coupling layer

Villegas, I.F.; van Moorleghem, Regis

doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.02.022

Ultrasonic welding of carbon/epoxy and carbon/PEEK composites through a PEI thermoplastic coupling layer

Title

Ultrasonic welding of carbon/epoxy and carbon/PEEK composites through a PEI thermoplastic coupling layer

Author

Villegas, I.F. (TU Delft Structural Integrity & Composites)
van Moorleghem, Regis

Date

2018-06-01

Abstract

This paper investigates welding of carbon/epoxy and carbon/PEEK composites using the following procedure. Firstly, the carbon/epoxy composite was made “weldable” through a very thin PEI thermoplastic film co-cured on its surface. During the curing cycle, the PEI resin and the components of the epoxy resin system partially diffused into each other generating a gradient interphase between the original epoxy and PEI resins. Subsequently, the carbon/PEEK composite adherend was welded onto the PEI-rich surface of the weldable carbon/epoxy adherend, exploiting the total miscibility between PEI and PEEK. Thermal degradation of the carbon/epoxy adherend during the welding process was avoided via the ultra-short heating times enabled by the ultrasonic welding technology. In this research, mechanical testing was used to evaluate the weld strength relative to reference joints. Additionally, cross-section scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the morphology of the PEI/epoxy interphase before and after the welding process.

Subject

A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
A. Thermoplastic resin
A. Thermosetting resin
E. Joints/joining

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:a2e9c315-99d0-4e24-81fc-424fe5448e5e

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.02.022

Embargo date

2020-03-08

ISSN

1359-835X

Source

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 109, 75-83