
Separation of Resistance-Welded Thermoplastic Composite Joints Produced with CF/LM-PAEK
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This study aims at demonstrating the separation of resistance-welded TPC joints via resistance heating. Low melt polyaryletherketone (LM-PAEK) laminate reinforced with carbon fibres (CF) specimens are produced and subsequently welded in a single lap shear configuration using resistance welding. Welding parameters for the process have been determined using three different heating elements. These include a regular stainless steel mesh, a stainless steel mesh that is preconsolidated with a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) film on both sides, and a CF/LM-PAEK prepreg tape with fibre volume fraction of 66 %. Following the welding process, these specimens are separated using a tensile testing apparatus introducing a shear load into the single lap shear specimens. During the separation process, the influence of temperature in the weleded zone is investigated by applying different voltages to the heating element. Furthermore, the influence of the crosshead speed during the tensile loading on the welded zone during the separation process is examined. Moreover, the fracture surface and the heat-affected zone of the welded joint are analysed after the separation process. The failure modes are studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy to explore the influence of the employed heating element on the fracture surface of the individual welded components following the separation. The analysis aims at drawing conclusions about the potential recyclability and re-weldability of the welded materials. Moreover, insights into the effect of the number of disassembly cycles on the strength recovery of resistance-welded TPC joints will be gained. The results of this study contribute to the new understanding of repair methods and the recyclability of fusion-welded TPC joints.