Friction spot welding of carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide 66 laminate

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 159; pp. 506 - 509
• Main Authors: Gonçalves, J., dos Santos, J.F., Canto, L.B., Amancio-Filho, S.T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.11.2015
• Subjects: Carbon fiber reinforced plastics; Carbon fiber-reinforced composites; Friction; Friction spot welding; Laminates; Polyamide resins; Polymeric composites; Shear; Spot welding; Welded joints; Welding; Carbon fiber-reinforced composites; Polymeric composites; Welding; Friction spot welding
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2015.08.036

Friction spot welding (FSpW) is an innovative technique developed by the Helmholtz Zentrum Geesthacht (WO/2001/036144). FSpW uses the friction between a rotating tool and workpieces to generate enough heat to cause macromolecular interdiffusion across the interface of the joining partners to create the weld. In this work, the feasibility of FSpW on carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide 66 laminate (CF-PA66) was evaluated through lap shear testing and optical microscopy. CF-PA66 welds with good surface finishing, an absence of degradation flaws and an average lap-shear strength of 26.8±0.8MPa were achieved. These welds have comparable mechanical performance to state-of-the-art ultrasonic welds, which indicates the potential of the FSpW process for fiber-reinforced polymer composites. [Display omitted] •CF-PA66 was successfully joined by friction spot welding.•The microstructure of carbon-fiber composites friction spot welds was addressed for the first time.•Cooling time showed a high impact on the spot welds's surface finishing.•CF-PA66 spot joints present mechanical performance comparable with the state-of-the-art spot welds.