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Experimental characterization of processing‐performance relationships of resistance welded graphite/polyetheretherketone composite joints
Author(s) -
Don Roderic C.,
Gillespie John W.,
Lambing Cynthia L. T.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760320908
Subject(s) - materials science , peek , polyetherimide , composite material , welding , composite number , thermoplastic , lap joint , consolidation (business) , shear (geology) , polymer , accounting , business
A study to investigate fusion bonding (welding) of AS4 graphite/polyetheretherketone (PEEK) thermoplastic composites is presented. Processing studies are conducted for resistance welding preconsolidated AS4/PEEK laminates in both unidirectional and quasi‐isotropic configurations using PEEK and polyetherimide (PEI) film at the joint interface. All bonding was done under a constant displacement process. The influence of processing time, initially applied consolidation pressure, and the rate of heat generation on weld performance is examined through lap shear and Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness testing. A rapid increase in strength with processing time that asymptotically approaches the compression molded baseline is measured. Weld times for quasi‐isotropic lap shear coupons are significantly shorter than those with a unidirectional lay‐up. Variation of the initially applied consolidation pressure is shown to have little influence on the lap shear strength of PEEK film welded lap joints. A discussion of the mechanisms allowing void formation during the welding process is given. Bond strength test results are correlated with ultrasonic C‐scans of the weld regions.