Laserbasiertes Schmelzkleben von Thermoplasten mit Metallen

Description

Predictable and reliable joining techniques play a key role for manufacturing multi-material components consisting of metals and plastics for industrial lightweight constructions. Limited by the state of the art there is a particular need for research on bonding plastics to metals. Laser-based hotmelt bonding is a promising not yet industrially established joining technique that has high potential to fulfill the requirements. However, a holistic understanding of the process is still missing. The focus of previous investigations was on the optimization of adhesion by surface pretreatment of metal. This scientific work gives an in-depth process understanding of laser-based hot-melt bonding without surface pretreatment.

Considering the differences between plastics and metals calculation- and experiment-based investigations were performed to analyze the effect of process parameters, material properties, surface chemistry/topography and ambient conditions on the hybrid joint. Based on the scientific results, a general calculation-based method for process design and optimization for laser-based hot-melt bonding was developed. This method allows a systematically identification of suitable process parameters with minimal experimental effort. Due to this fact, thermoplastic metal hybrids can now be joined reliable and efficient using laser-based hot-melt bonding.