Effect of carbon nanotube amount on polyethylene welding process induced by laser source

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 103; no. 2; pp. 439 - 445
• Main Authors: Visco, A. M., Campo, N., Torrisi, L., Caridi, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-05-2011
• Subjects: Calorimetry; Carbon nanotubes; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Laser beam welding; Machines; Manufacturing; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Polyethylenes; Processes; Quadrupoles; Shear tests; Spectrometry; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Welding; Carbon nanotubes; Structural modification; Polyethylene joints; Shear force; Laser welding
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-011-6361-9

This paper reports a study of the laser welding of polymeric joints composed by two polyethylene sheets, one pristine and the other filled by carbon nanotubes. In order to know the material modifications occurring during the laser exposure and the phenomena that seal the polymeric sheets, the physical, chemical and mechanical features of the welded area were analysed. The mechanical resistance of the welded joint and the structural changes of the polymer were checked by mechanical shear tests, absorption coefficient measurements, calorimetric analyses, mass quadrupole spectrometry and electron microscopy. The welding effectiveness was investigated as a function of the filler concentration.