Ultrasonic welding of CF/epoxy to CF/PEEK composites: Effect of the energy director material on the welding process

E. Tsiangou*, S. Teixeira de Freitas, I. Fernandez Villegas, R. Benedictus

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

With its short heating times, ultrasonic welding is a highly promising technique for joining thermoplastic (TPC) to thermoset (TSC) composites, to prevent thermal degradation of the thermoset adherend. A neat thermoplastic coupling layer is co-cured on the surface to be welded to make the TSC “weldable”. For welding CF/PEEK to a TSC adherend, it would be logical to use PEEK as the coupling layer. However PEEK and epoxy are not miscible with each other, therefore a bond created after co-curing of these two materials is not reliable. PEI on the other hand is known to be miscible to most epoxy systems at high temperatures and PEEK polymers, hence it is an excellent candidate for the coupling layer material. The other necessary element for ultrasonic welding is the energy director (ED), a neat TP film placed at the interface to help promote heat generation through preferential frictional and viscoelastic heating. Usually EDs are made from the same material as the TP matrix, but in this case ED can be either PEI or PEEK. Mechanical testing and fractographic analysis showed that the usage of a PEEK ED is the most successful approach. This research is part of the European project EFFICOMP.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationECCM 2018 - 18th European Conference on Composite Materials
PublisherApplied Mechanics Laboratory
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781510896932
Publication statusPublished - 2020
EventECCM18: 18th European Conference on Composite Materials - Athens, Greece
Duration: 24 Jun 201828 Jun 2018
Conference number: 18
http://www.eccm18.org/

Publication series

NameECCM 2018 - 18th European Conference on Composite Materials

Conference

ConferenceECCM18: 18th European Conference on Composite Materials
Abbreviated titleECCM18
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityAthens
Period24/06/1828/06/18
Internet address

Keywords

  • Composites
  • Energy director
  • Thermoplastics
  • Thermosets
  • Ultrasonic welding

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