A feasibility study into joining of engineering thermoplastics utilising concentrated beam solar radiation

Most manufacturing technologies and facilities today are being developed fo r efficient and environment-friendly production. However, regardless of wha t type of material processing technology we use, we need energy. Solar ener gy, although often called alternative or even new energy source, is probabl y the oldest energy source available on earth. In this paper, the attempts made by the authors to explore the feasibility of utilising concentrated so lar beam radiation for joining engineering thermoplastics such as acrylonit rile/butadiene/styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) are presented. In addition, to study the joining of the materials, necessary experimentation with applying primer was performed. Tensile tests were conducted to determine the bond strength achieved at the specimen joi nt interface. Microscopic examinations of the fractured joints were perform ed in order to analyse the overall bond quality. Finally, the results in te rms of bond strength achieved at the joint interface and energy consumed in the process were compared with those obtained with similar thermoplastic j oining technique utilising microwave energy. In conclusion, some advantages and limitations were outlined and necessary improvements of the joining te chnique were recommended. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.