TY - JOUR
T1 - Transmission laser welding of thermoplastics by using carbon nanotube web
AU - Russello, M.
AU - Catalanotti, G.
AU - Hawkins, S. C.
AU - Chan, C. W.
AU - Falzon, B. G.
PY - 2023/1
Y1 - 2023/1
N2 - Laser welding of transparent and semi-transparent thermoplastics using layers of carbon nanotube (CNT) web as absorbant is reported. Single lap shear specimens were manufactured placing the layers of CNT-web between two polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) sheets, that were successively irradiated with laser power at a wavelength of 1064 nm. Optical analyses were performed to assess the transmittance of the joint under different configurations; for the single layer of CNT web a transmittance of 83 %, in the visible range, was obtained after welding. Single-lap shear tests were performed and a shear strength of 23 MPa was obtained when using one layer of CNT-web. The investigated technology allows using a solid film as laser absorbing material, replacing conventional liquid or dye that need to be processed and applied on the surface before welding, thus speeding up the manufacturing process.
AB - Laser welding of transparent and semi-transparent thermoplastics using layers of carbon nanotube (CNT) web as absorbant is reported. Single lap shear specimens were manufactured placing the layers of CNT-web between two polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) sheets, that were successively irradiated with laser power at a wavelength of 1064 nm. Optical analyses were performed to assess the transmittance of the joint under different configurations; for the single layer of CNT web a transmittance of 83 %, in the visible range, was obtained after welding. Single-lap shear tests were performed and a shear strength of 23 MPa was obtained when using one layer of CNT-web. The investigated technology allows using a solid film as laser absorbing material, replacing conventional liquid or dye that need to be processed and applied on the surface before welding, thus speeding up the manufacturing process.
UR - https://hdl.handle.net/1959.7/uws:75596
U2 - 10.1016/j.optlastec.2022.108733
DO - 10.1016/j.optlastec.2022.108733
M3 - Article
SN - 0030-3992
VL - 157
JO - Optics and Laser Technology
JF - Optics and Laser Technology
M1 - 108733
ER -