Metal mesh heating element size effect in resistance welding of thermoplastic composites

The objective of this work is to determine the effects of metal mesh heating element size on resistance welding of thermoplastic composites. The materials to be resistance-welded consisted of carbon fiber/poly-ether-ketone-ketone (CF/PEKK), carbon fiber/poly-ether-imide (CF/PEI) and glass fiber/PEI (GF/PEI). Four different metal mesh sizes were used as heating elements. The samples were welded in a lap shear joint configuration and mechanically tested. Maximum Lap Shear Strengths of 52, 47 and 33 MPa were obtained for the CF/PEKK, CF/PEI and GF/PEI specimens, respectively. The ratio of the heating element's fraction of open area and wire diameter was shown to be the most important parameter to be considered when selecting an appropriate heating element size.