A comparative static and dynamic behavior of thermoplastic composite joints produced using different joining techniques

Abstract

AbstractThermoplastic composites are preferred over their thermosetting counterparts due to their high toughness, fast manufacturing cycle, and ease of recycling. Another advantage is the variety of techniques available to join these thermoplastic composites. This paper analyzes the static and dynamic behavior of glass fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composite joints produced using different joining techniques. The composite materials were fabricated by compression molding of glass fabric and polypropylene (PP) matrix. These composites were joined using approaches like riveting, adhesive bonding, resistance welding, and hybrid joining techniques. The performance of these joints was analyzed under static and dynamic tensile loads. During the static test, the resistance welded joints showed superior performance as compared to the other joining techniques. The highest load of 2183 N was taken by the resistance welded sample, while the least (358 N) was taken by the mechanical joint. In dynamic testing, the resistance welded joints showed the least variation in the modulus during the dynamic test, showing a higher modulus as compared to the other joining techniques. The highest number of cycles to fail the joint was obtained for the mechanical joint, that is, 40,100, while a similar value was exhibited by the resistance welded joint (39,674). The static and dynamic test results showed resistance welding to be a promising approach for joining thermoplastic composites.