Plastic Joining Processes

Question 1

When choosing a joining process, what helps you make the right decision?

Answer 1

• the application
• the type of polymer to be joined
• the amount of load the joint is to carry
• whether or not the joint will be affected by the environment

Question 2

What are adhesives?

Answer 2

Adhesives can be used to join polymers.

Adhesives act as a solvent by dissolving the components together as a joint.

Question 3

What is tensol cement?

Answer 3

Tensol cement (acrylic cement) is an adhesive used for polymers, which in liquid form can solely be used for acrylics.

Question 4

What is ultrasonic welding?

Answer 4

The use of very high frequency vibrations to generate heat within the area to be joined, thereby allowing the materials to fuse together. Plastics and some metals can be joined this way.

Question 5

What is Plastic welding?

Answer 5

The application of using heat to fuse a filler rod to the components being joined. A powerful heat gun is used to provide heat necessary to melt the material. An attachment ensures that it softens the components and the filler rod at the point where it is to be joined.

Question 6

What is plastic welding good for?

Answer 6

Applicable to producing one-off products such as containers from thermoplastic sheet.

Question 7

What are integral fixings?

Answer 7

Polymers can be used to manufacture 3-D shapes needed to produce modern products, fixings such as post for screws, captive nuts, locating And securing clips, can all be made integral to the component being joined.