JOINING | INNOVATION
lenging applications. These include parts made of dissimilar materials with complex 3D geometries, closely aligned features, and fragile or heat-sensi- tive components, such as soldered components or sensors; and parts that use a greater number of blended, glass-reinforced, chromed and metalli- cised plastics.
New materials Material developers have been launching new products designed for particular joining processes. Avient has added new laser-weldable polycarbon- ate (PC) grades to its Edgetek portfolio of specialty thermoplastics, which are intended for applications in small appliances, personal care products, consumer electronics, healthcare devices and industrial electronics. This new series is also formulated for high performance in flame retard- ance, impact resistance and flow characteristics. “Compared with ultrasonic and vibration
welding, plastic laser welding provides an array of benefits, such as unmatched production efficiency and consistent, high-quality results,” says Matt Mitchell, Director Of Global Marketing, Specialty Engineered Materials at Avient. “A perfect fit for laser welding technology, the new Edgetek materials give designers the exceptional flexibility to shape a part that offers maximum aesthetic and functional performance.” The quality of laser plastic welding depends on
how transmissive or absorptive the components are to laser energy. Avient says: “In general, flame retardants and colorants often impede the energy needed to melt the polymer during joining, possibly reducing weld strength. These new Edgetek PC laser welding formulations include four grades that meet the critical requirements of transmission rate and accommodate suitable pigments and flame retardants that enhance laser absorption without compromising the mechanical performance of weld joints. This combination provides a strong, uniform weld along with aesthet- ic performance. These materials may also be customised to meet customer-specific applications and production needs across various markets.” Avient’s portfolio of laser weldable materials also includes options based on polyamide 66 and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Elix Polymers has highlighted a project with Beijing Beiqi Mould & Plastic Technology (BMPT) in China which involves a glue joining process. Elix ABS H801 is being used for the spoilers of the new Mercedes-Benz model GLA and GLB series follow- ing an intensive collaboration between BMPT, Mercedes-Benz, Sinochem and Elix. The H801
www.injectionworld.com
Left: Avient has launched new laser-weldable polycarbonate (PC) Edgetek materials, which are intended for applications in small appli- ances
IMAGE: AVIENT
material is an ABS grade modified with PC which has advantages that make it suited for the manufac- ture of spoilers. These advantages include high stiffness, heat and impact resistance, as well as excellent paintability, says Elix. Its impact resistance, with a Charpy notched impact strength at 23°C of 30 kJ/m2
, is in the highest range of an ABS grade. In 2022, Elix also developed a version of the
material called Elix E-Loop H801 MR, containing mechanically recycled feedstocks to help reduce the environmental footprint. Polyplastics says it is finding successful use of polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) in laser-welded automotive parts. PPS naturally has low laser transmittance but the company says its Durafide PPS 1130A1 delivers greater transmittance and toughness and facilitates laser welding in a range of applications. The linear-type Durafide PPS 1130A1 is charac- terised by its white natural colour, as opposed to the reddish-brown natural colour of crosslink-type PPS materials. Polyplastics says that gives it superior laser transmissibility (light transmissibility in the infrared region) and makes laser welding possible. The material provides an approximately 6% improvement in laser transmittance which results in a wider processing window for a broad range of welding conditions. The material also delivers an approximately 28% improvement in toughness versus standard grades, according to the company.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.rinco-usa.com �
www.herrmannultraschall.com �
www.vdma.org/kunststoffmaschinen-gummimaschinen �
www.emerson.com �
www.avient.com �
www.elix-polymers.com �
www.polyplastics-global.com
May 2023 | INJECTION WORLD 43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
