Plastic Welding, Uses and Benefits

When most people hear the word “welding” they tend to think of two metals being joined together. However, metal isn’t the only material that can be welded. Plastics can also be welded together, and the process is quite common.

Plastic welding is the process of joining two compatible thermoplastics together by creating a molecular bond between them. The process is similar to plastic welding and consists of three stages: Pressing the thermoplastics tiger, heating them, then cooling them down to set. 

Plastic welding is especially popular in vehicle repairs, due to the high levels of material strength in the join. There are different types of plastic welding that are available. Some of the most popular types include:

• Ultrasonic welding - This method uses high-Energy transmissions to join the plastic parts. It is a very common method of welding and can be used on various materials, though it is most often used with lap joints. 

• Laser Welding - This includes the heating and melting of plastic via the use of laser radiation. The radiation goes through one piece of plastic, then into the other, joining the two together. Laser welding is a popular method since it creates a clean weld, and can be used to heat large surface areas. It is also one of the fastest methods of plastic welding. 

• Hot Plate Welding - As the name suggests, a heated plate is used to apply thermal heat directly to the plastics in order to join them. This method can be used in highly complex welds like curved joints. Hot Plate Welding is not recommended for thin materials and has a very short cycle time. They are also potentially very expensive. 

• Spin Welding - This is a very simple method that involves using frictional heat to join plastics. At least one plastic part needs to be circular, and it takes quite a bit of preparation before the welding can be done. 

Advantages Of Plastic Welding 

There are a few reasons why plastic welding is such a preferred method of joining plastics as opposed to other methods. Here are a few: 

1. Plastic welding offers a better bonding solution in cases where fasteners or adhesive bonding may not have been possible.
   
   
2. It typically requires less preparation of the materials to be bonded, especially when compared to adhesive bonding.
   
   
3. Plastic welding takes little to no curing time once the process is complete and cooled.
   
   
4. It takes far less material than other methods, and simply needs the tools and a capable welder to complete the job.
   
   
5. Plastic welding can join the plastics without much visible evidence of the bonds, and hence is more aesthetically pleasing than other bonding methods.
   
   
6. Your recycling process is easier with plastic welding, since it’s possible to keep the welded object as one. Other joining methods may require you to separate the materials before they can be recycled. 

If you’re seeking plastic welding tools to complete your projects, our Mini-Weld Airless Plastic Welder Kit is a great option. It comes ready-to-use with an instruction video, welder tips, and a user-friendly temperature control.