THERMAL ANALYSIS OF RESISTANCE WELDING OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES

摘要

This paper presents a transient finite element model for thermal analysis of resistance welding of thermoplastic composites with metal mesh heating element. The model assumes an orthotropic thermal behaviour of the composite laminate. Different types of material and welding configurations were analysed. The transient temperature profiles were computed using temperature independent properties. The results were compared with experimental data from the performed measurements, and they showed a close agreement. The study was mainly focused on the combined influence of the material properties and the process parameters on the occurrence of the edge effect and its impact on the temperature profiles at the edges of the specimens. Additionally, the influence of the insulating material on the temperature profiles in the weld were studied and discussed.