Resistance welding of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite using alternative heating element

The focus of this work is the use of a metal mesh as an alternative heating element for the joining of carbon fibre fabric reinforced polyetherimide c omposite laminate. A more homogeneous temperature distribution was generate d by the metal mesh at the bonding surface. Glass fibre fabric reinforced P EI (GF/PEI) was used as an electrical insulator between the heating element and adherend laminates. Experimental results show that the GF/PEI prepeg c ould effectively prevent current leakage and enlarge the welding area. Weld ing parameters, such as input power level, welding time and pressure, were optimized according to the results of mechanical and microstructure charact erization. Mechanical performance of composite specimens joined using metal mesh, in terms of lap shear strength and Mode I interlaminar fracture toug hness, was equivalent to that of compression moulded benchmarks. Fracture s ur faces of welded specimens showed mostly cohesive failure or intralaminar failure, indicating that good bonding between the PEI matrix and metal mes h was achieved. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.