TWI Technology Briefing 301 - June 1986
M N Watson, R M Rivett and K I Johnson
FULL REPORT
Scope
Various factors such as low cost, corrosion resistance, ease of processing and weight saving are leading to an increased use of plastics materials in all industries. This has placed importance on the joining techniques for plastics and on the mechanical properties obtained. This report surveys the use of plastics by modern industry and describes the joining techniques currently available.
Conclusions
A wide range of joining techniques are available for joining plastics, including mechanical fasteners, adhesives and welding. Most of the techniques are simple to use and are economic but there is a poor understanding of how joint design, material type and parameters affect joint properties. There is need for systematic, fundamental work on processes, testing techniques and non-destructive evaluation.
Recommendations
Care must be taken to consider all the relevant economic and technological factors when choosing a joining technique for plastics. Service performance is often difficult to predict so experience is important and experimentation with particular components is often necessary before satisfactory joints are achieved. A better understanding of the processes and relevant test techniques would make prediction of service performance easier and would enable reliable design data to be generated from laboratory data. While some relevant work is being undertaken by machine manufacturers and users, there is little systematic work of widespread applicability under way at present in the UK.
Member Report No. 301-1986
Plastics - An industrial and literature survey of joining techniques
Copyright by TWI, 1999
