Influence of fiber orientation and weld position in welding injection-molded fiber-reinforced thermoplastics

Abstract

Several publications deal with the influence of the initial fiber orientation in joining parts on the weld strength of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. The welding partners have been sawn before welding. Preparing the joining parts after injection molding is not suitable since it is an additional manufacturing step. Since injection molding results in a non-uniform fiber orientation, there is a possibility that the position of the weld influences weld characteristics. The influence of the initial fiber orientation was investigated by preparing parts with longitudinal or transverse initial fiber orientation. Short and long glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastics with a glass fiber content of 30% have been welded by hot-plate and vibration welding. The initial fiber orientation in non-welded parts influences the weld strength: longitudinal fibers are more advantageous for the weld strength than transverse fibers. The influence of the position of the weld in injection-molded parts was investigated by welding the plates at the end of the flow path, at the sawn gate, and at the lateral side. The weld strength is similar at the gate or at the end of the flow path. For PA-GF30, the weld strength at the gate is even higher. Positioning the weld at the lateral side in injection-molded parts results in significantly lower weld strengths for short and long glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastics in hot-plate and vibration welding.