Ultrasonic Assisted Thermal Direct Joining of Thermoplastic Composites and Aluminum for Multi Material Design

Abstract

The trend towards multi material design is strongly driven by improved functionality and decreased total weight of hybrid parts. Conventional joining techniques for metals and polymers usually require a complex process and are thus time consuming and expensive. A novel technique addressing these shortcomings is ultrasonic assisted thermal direct joining of metals and thermoplastic polymers. The metallic joining partner is laser pre-treated to generate a specific surface topology. The subsequent joining process is a combination of thermal direct joining and ultrasonic joining. This hybrid joining process results in short cycle times, and the maximum heat input is localized to the joining area. The joint performance was measured by lap shear tests, resulting in strength values exceeding 18 MPa, while the duration of the joining process was about 1.5 seconds. The relevant joining parameters were identified and a process window was obtained. The results indicate that there may be an optimum energy range for successful joining. An appropriate energy map may allow a deeper understanding of the process and enables prediction of process windows for various material combinations.