Resistance Welding of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites Using Carbon Fiber
Heating Element

D. Tanabe, Osaka University, Suita-shi, Japan
F. Kubohori, S. Shimada, K. Nishiyabu
Kindai University, Higashiosaka-shi, Japan
T. Kurashiki, Osaka University, Suita-shi,Japan

Abstract:
This study aims to develop the resistance welding method for continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic (cFRTP) composites using spread carbon fiber as resistance heating element. The material for the experiment was woven CF/PPS laminates. The effects of processing conditions such as applied voltage, time and pressure, and also material conditions such as thickness of the inserted PPS films on the fusion behavior of cFRTP composites were investigated to get the optimum condition for electro-fusion joining. The contents for evaluation were surface condition of joint section peeled off after applying current and welding area obtained from those images. The experimental results revealed that electro-fusion behavior was influenced significantly by thickness of PPS films and electric resistivity of cFRTP laminates. From the result of the single lap shear strength (LSS) test,it was revealed that the LSS value was achieved over 28 MPa. Moreover, CFRTP pipe joint using carbon fiber heating element was developed in this study.