LASER TRANSMISSION WELDING OF PLASTICS IN MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURING - HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LASER ADDITIVE

摘要

As laser transmission welding of polymers becomes an established joining technology, more and more emphasis has to be put into the careful selection of the right laser additive. Besides its absorption efficiency at common laser wavelengths in the Near Infrared (NIR), depending on the planned application a number of other important physical and chemical features have to be taken into account. This paper wants to give an overview on basic performance requirements for a laser additive, on how to apply the additive in a process compatible and cost efficient way, as well as on specific "add-ons" mandatory for specific high end applications like medical device manufacturing. Special emphasis will be put on ecotoxico-logical aspects of typical organic and inorganic materials utilized in laser welding of medical plastics.