Experimental Investigation of Processing Welding Parameters for PPS/Carbon Fiber Laminates for Aeronautical Applications

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the resistance welding of PPS/carbon fiber is presented in this manuscript. Currently, one of the main problems of the structural polymer composites consists in its effective integration of the components. The electrical resistance welding has been considered as one of the promising techniques for bonding composites, because it is a quick process with easy surface preparation. To improve the process to welding poly-(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) reinforced with carbon fiber laminates, it was used a full factorial design (23). Considering the factors pressure, electrical current and time, the more appropriate conditions for welding were evaluated based on a criterion of maximum lap shear strength, according to ASTM D1002-10. A comparison between welded and non-welded specimens in terms of analysis dynamic mechanical (DMA), thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and vibration tests was performed. It was demonstrated that large-scale DMA presented a similar results but according to TMA and vibration test were observed that welded specimens presented different results when compared to non-welded laminates, due probably to the presence of metallic heating element.