Friction Spot Welding of Carbon Fiber Reinforced
Plastics
Joel Gonçalves (UFSCar-Brazil), S. Amancio (Contact Person)
Challenge
The use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) in transportation applications has
increased in the last years, mainly as an effort to reduce weight and emissions associated
with fuel consumption. Special attention has been addressed to CFRP connections, because
of their limited joinability by traditional welding methods. Friction Spot Welding has been
demonstrated to be feasible on unreinforced plastic joints and has the potential to become a
alternative joining technology for thin carbon fiber reinforced laminates.
Project
This work intends to analyze the bonding mechanisms and process related phenomena
dictating the joint performance of CFRP/CFRP and CFRP/unreinforced polymer overlap
joints. Mechanical testing, optical and laser scanning microscopy will be used to determine
shear strength, microstructure and interface properties on similar and dissimilar Polyamide 6
and CF-Polyamide 66 composite single-lap welds.
Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht • Max-Planck-Straße 1 • 21502 Geesthacht • Phone +49 (0)4152 87-2066 • Fax +49 (0)4152 87-2033 • www.hzg.de
Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sergio Amancio • Email: sergio.amancio@hzg.de