Through-transmission laser welding of polymers -: temperature field modeling and infrared investigation

The purpose of the present study is to estimate the weldability of a polymeric material couple according to their thermal and optical properties. A first model based on Mie theory and Monte Carlo method describes the laser beam behavior in semi-transparent media and makes it possible to approximate the laser power distribution at the interface of the two materials. A second model based on finite element method permits the temperature field estimation into both parts to be welded. The results are validated by infrared thermography. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.