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The majority of plastics used in vehicle manufacturing are thermoplastics. Heated until they soften, they can be molded or welded. There are different types of thermoplastics, each having a specified temperature for welding operations.
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Code |
Plastic |
| ABS |
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene |
| ABS/PC |
Polymer alloy of above |
| PA |
Polyamide (Nylon) |
| PBT |
Polybutylene Terephtalate (POCAN) |
| PC |
Polycarbonate |
| PE |
Polyethylene |
| PP |
Polypropylene |
| PP/EPDM |
Polypropylene/
Ethylenediene Rubber |
| PUR |
Polyurethane
(Not all PUR is weldable) |
| PVC |
Polyvinyl Chloride |
| GRP/SMC |
Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (Not weldable) |
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Recognition by test welding
If all other information is unavailable a test weld can be tried on the back of the component using a rod from the identified mixed bundle of plastic welding rods.
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Method
- Fit the appropriate welding nozzle for the selected welding rod to the hot-air tool.
- Set the welding temperature on the rotary control according to the welding rod material to be employed in the test (see table under Main Welding. Allow the tool to attain the operating temperature.
- Scrape the surface in the area of the test to remove any contamination.
- Feed the welding rod through the nozzle and into contact with the surface of the component.
- Following the technique described in Main Welding operations, weld 2cm of the test rod to the surface of the component.
- Remove the welding tool from the rod and then cut the rod approximately 2cm from the component surface.
- Allow the weld to cool and then try to pull the rod from the surface of the component. If it can be pulled from the component repeat the test with a different rod. If it stays firmly in place the component plastic has been positively identified.
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