Friction welding of injection moulded acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and medium density polyethylene thermoplastics

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 363/1988

By M G Murch

Background

Despite the increasing use of friction welding for joining semi-finished products in thermoplastics, there are only limited data reported on the significance of welding parameters relative to joint integrity and strength.

This report considers the friction welding process and compares the performance of the inertia spin and linear vibration welding systems applied to two injection moulded thermoplastic materials: high impact acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene (ABS) and medium density polyethylene (MDPE). Three joint designs in common use have been investigated and the strength of joints produced over a wide range of welding parameters was evaluated. The relationship between monitored welding parameters and set operational variables has been determined.