Laser welding of plastics is an innovative joining process that replaces traditional methods such as ultrasonic welding, vibration welding and gluing in many areas of application. It enables reproducible welding results of the highest quality and without residues such as adhesive residues – even for complicated geometries.
However, until now it has been a challenge to join transparent plastics together "invisibly".
Both components could be "transparent plastics" if PeroLaB® is applied to the lower plastic as an absorber, for example in the form of ink.
The upper component (= transparent plastic) allows the laser to pass through, while the lower component is the "absorbent plastic" due to the incorporation of PeroLaB®.
Another plastic layer can be placed between the transparent plastics as a thin film or filament with integrated PeroLaB® as an absorber.
During transmission welding of two components, the laser beam penetrates the transparent joining partner and hits the laser-absorbing part. PeroLaB® effectively converts the absorbed laser energy (λabs = 800 – 1200 nm, 250 – 385 nm) into heat and melts the surface of the plastic.
PeroLaB® is a refractory ceramic material with a melting point of over 2000 °C. Compared to many organic laser additives, the product can also be used for welding high-performance plastics such as PTFE and PEEK, even metals.
The welding of light-colored or transparent plastics is particularly in demand in the textile sector or in medical technology, such as microfluidics. Compared to carbon black, it is possible to produce non-black – even transparent – weld seams with PeroLaB®. The color influence, especially with colored or white components, can be reduced by adding further additives.
Compared to certain organic laser additives, PeroLaB® does not consume or decompose after irradiation with the laser, which also leads to a high recyclability of components.
In quasi-simultaneous welding, the welding contour is traversed several times in order to achieve rapid and uniform temperature development almost simultaneously (i.e. quasi-simultaneously) – the reactivity or effect of PeroLaB® remains virtually unaffected in comparison to certain organic additives.
PeroLaB® can be used for welding PA, TPU, ABS, PC, PMMA, PBT, PP and PET, for example.
PeroLaB® is characterized by the fact that the mechanical properties of the component are not significantly altered due to the low quantity used.
Laser welding of plastics with PeroLaB® can be an innovative solution in many processes in many application areas, such as automotive, food technology, packaging, medical technology and pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, the toy industry and aviation technology:
Please contact us if you have any questions about the use of PeroLaB® for your welding application.
Would you like to find out more about the possibilities of laser welding plastic with PeroLaB® as an absorber?
