POLYMER JOINTS

Abstract

Parallel to the spreading of polymers as engineering materials the spreading of polymer joints can be observed. Similarly to metallic joints, according to operational principle joints working by force, by shape or by material layer can be differentiated in case of polymers, too. The aim of this paper is to review different joints emphasizing the most frequent type, the welding one. To reach a reproducible welded joint a computer controlled welding stage was built. The weldability and the joint efficiency factor were investigated at the most frequently applied polymers. It is managed to determine an optional welding speed that highly varies depending on the molecular structure of the type of polymers.