A feasibility study into joining of engineering thermoplastics utilising concentrated beam solar radiation

Abstract

Most manufacturing technologies and facilities today are being developed for efficient and environment-friendly production. However, regardless of what type of material processing technology we use, we need energy. Solar energy, although often called alternative or even new energy source, is probably the oldest energy source available on earth. In this paper, the attempts made by the authors to explore the feasibility of utilising concentrated solar beam radiation for joining engineering thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) are presented. In addition, to study the joining of the materials, necessary experimentation with applying primer was performed. Tensile tests were conducted to determine the bond strength achieved at the specimen joint interface. Microscopic examinations of the fractured joints were performed in order to analyse the overall bond quality. Finally, the results in terms of bond strength achieved at the joint interface and energy consumed in the process were compared with those obtained with similar thermoplastic joining technique utilising microwave energy. In conclusion, some advantages and limitations were outlined and necessary improvements of the joining technique were recommended.