Patent ID: 6602810
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B29C,B29K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for improving the integrity of a thermoplastic weld along a bondline joining fiber-reinforced resin composites along faying surfaces defining the bondline, the weld including resin surrounding a metal susceptor for heating the weld, the resin on either side of the susceptor being reinforced with fiber extending across the bondline, independent from fiber in the composites, the composites having reinforcing fiber at a fiber volume fraction in a resin, the resin in each composite and in the weld being substantially the same material, the welding method comprising the step of:incorporating in the thermoplastic weld at least one layer of fiber reinforcement along the bondline on each side of the susceptor in the resin surrounding the susceptor, the reinforcement being in sufficient amount to alleviate residual tensile strain in the resin of the thermoplastic weld, being independent from fiber in the composites and extending substantially the width of the bondline and the susceptor.