A Review of Welding Technologies for Thermoplastic Composites in Aerospace Applications

Costa, Anahi Pereira da; Botelho, Edson Cocchieri; Costa, Michelle Leali; Narita, Nilson Eiji; Tarpani, José Ricardo

doi:10.5028/jatm.2012.04033912

Abstract:

Reinforced thermoplastic structural detail parts and assemblies are being developed to be included in current aeronautic programs. Thermoplastic composite technology intends to achieve improved properties and low cost processes. Welding of detail parts permits to obtain assemblies with weight reduction and cost saving. Currently, joining composite materials is a matter of intense research because traditional joining technologies are not directly transferable to composite structures. Fusion bonding and the use of thermoplastic as hot melt adhesives offer an alternative to mechanical fastening and thermosetting adhesive bonding. Fusion bonding technology, which originated from the thermoplastic polymer industry, has gained a new interest with the introduction of thermoplastic matrix composites, which are currently regarded as candidate for primary aircraft structures. This paper reviewed the state of the art of the welding technologies devised to aerospace industry, including the fields that Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho and Universidade de São Paulo are deeply involved.

Keywords:
Aircraft structural joint; Thermoplastic composite; Welding technology

Full text available only in PDF format.

REFERENCES

Ageorges, C., Ye, L., 2001, "Simulation of impulse resistance welding for thermoplastic matrix composites", Applied Composite Materials, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 133-147.
Ageorges, C., Ye, L., 2002, "Fusion bonding of polymer composites: from basic mechanisms to process optimisation". Springer, London.
Ageorges, C. et al., 2001, "Advances in fusion bonding techniques for joining thermoplastic matrix composites: a review", Composites: Part A, Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 839-857.
Ageorges, C. et al., 2000, "Experimental investigation of the resistance welding for thermoplastic-matrix composites. Part I: heating element and heat transfer", Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 60, No. 7, pp. 1027 - 1039.
Arici, A.A., 2007, "Effect of hygrothermal aging on polyetherimide composites", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 26, No. 18, pp. 1937-1942.
Balle, F. et al., 2009, "Ultrasonic metal welding of aluminium sheets to carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites", Advanced Engineering Material, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 1-2.
Bates, P.J. et al., 2009, "Shear strength and meltdown behavior of reinforced polypropylene assemblies", Composites: Part A., Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 28-35.
Botelho, E.C. et al., 2005 "Processing and hygrothermal effects on viscoelastic behavior of glass fiber/epoxy composites", Journal of Material Science, Vol. 40, No 14, pp. 3615-3623.
Botelho, E.C. et al., 2003, "Mechanical behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polyamide composites", Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 63, No. 13, pp. 1843-1855.
Botelho, E.C. and Rezende, M.C, 2007, "Damping behavior of hygrothermally conditioned carbon fiber/epoxy laminates", Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 106, No. 5, pp. 3143 - 3148.
Botelho, E.C. et al., 2002, "Study of polyamide 6/6 synthesis carried out by interfacial polymerization on carbon fiber", Polymer International, Vol. 51, No. 11, pp. 1261-1267.
Botelho, E.C. et al., 2001 "Synthesis of polyamide 6/6 by interfacial polycondensation with the simultaneous impregnation of carbon fibers", Macromolecules, Vol. 34, No. 10, pp. 3367-3375.
Chen, Y.S., 2000, "IR welding of glass filled polyether sulfone composite", Tamkang Journal of Science and Engineering, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 229-234.
Chen, Y.S. and Benatar, A., 1995, "Infrared welding of polypropylene", Annual Technical Conference / Society of Plastics Engineers, Vol.1, pp.1235-1238.
Chevali, V.S. et al., 2010, "Effect of environmental weathering on flexural creep behavior of long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites", Polymer Degradation and Stability; Vol. 95, No. 12, pp. 2628-2640.
Chung-Yuan, W. et al.,1999, "Microwave welding of HDPE using impedance matching system", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 27.
Costa, A.P., 2010, "Efeito do condicionamento ambiental em compósitos soldados de PPS/fibras contínuas", dissertação de mestrado, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Guaratinguetá, SP.
Costa, A.P. et al., 2010, "Influence of environmental conditioning on the shear behavior of poly(phenylene sulfide)/glass fiber composites", Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 118, No. 1, pp. 180-187.
De Faria, M.C.M. et al.,, 2011, "The effect of the ocean water immersion and UV ageing on the dynamic mechanical properties of the PPS/glass fiber composites", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 30, No. 20, pp. 1729-1737.
Don, R.C. et al., 1992, "Experimental characterization of processing-performance relationships of resistance welded graphite/polyetheretherketone composite joints", Polymer Engineering Science, Vol. 32, No. 9, pp. 620-631.
Espert, A. et al., 2004, "Comparison of water absorption in natural cellulosic fibres from wood and one-year crops in polypropylene composites and its infl on their mechanical properties", Composites Part A, Vol. 35, No. 11, pp. 1267-1276.
Grewell, D. and Benatar, A., 2007, "Welding of plastics: fundamentals and new developments", International Polymer Processing, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 43-51.
Grewell, D.A. et al., 2003, "Plastic and composite welding handbook", Vol. 10, Hanser Publishers, Munich, 407 p.
Grewell, D. et al., 2004, "Relationship between optical properties and optimized processing parameters for through-transmission laser welding of thermoplastics", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 239-247.
Hou, M. et al., 1999, "An experimental study of resistance welding of carbon fibre fabric reinforced polyetherimide (CF fabric/PEI) composite material", Applied Composite Materials, Vol. 6, No. 6, pp. 35-49.
Jayamol, G. et al., 1998, "Effects of environment on the properties of Low-density polyethylene composites reinforced with pineapple-leaf fibre", Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 58, No. 9, pp. 1471-1485.
Jones F.R., 1994, "Moisture absorption - anomalous effects". In: Handbook of polymer fibre composites. Longman Scientific and Technical, UK, pp. 371-375.
Kagan, V. and Bray, R., 2003, "Forward to better understanding of optical characterization and development of colored polyamides for the infra-red/laser welding: part I - efficiency of polyamides for infra-red welding", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 22, No. 6, pp. 533-547.
Kagan, V. and Nichols, R.J., 2005, "Benefits of induction welding of reinforced thermoplastics in high performance applications", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 24, No. 13, pp. 1345-1352.
Krüger, S. et al., 2004, "Ultrasonic welding of metal/composite joints", Advanced Engineering Materials, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 157-159.
Ku, H.S. et al., 2003, "Variable frequency microwave (VFM) processing facilities and application in processing thermoplastic matrix composites", Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 139, No. 1-3, pp. 291-295.
Labeas, G.N. et al., 2010, "Optimization of laser transmission welding process for thermoplastic composite parts using thermo-mechanical simulation", Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 113-118.
Lee, K.H. et al., 1993, "Crystallization behavior of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and PPS/carbon fiber composites: Effect of cure", Polymer Bulletin, Vol. 30, No. 5, pp. 469-475.
Levy, A. et al., 2008, "Ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites: modeling of the process", International Journal of Material Forming, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 887-890.
Loos, A.C. et al., 1981, "Moisture absorption of polyester-E glass composites" in: Springer, G.S., editor. Environmental effects on composite materials. Technomic Publishing Company, New York.
Mallick, P.K., 1993, "Fiber-reinforced composites: materials, manufacturing, and design". Marcel Dekker, New York, 881 p.
Mazur, R.L. et al., 2008, "Avaliações térmica e reológica da matriz termoplástica PEKK utilizada em compósitos aeronáuticos", Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 237-243.
Miller, R., 2006, "Method and apparatus for infrared welding of thermoplastic parts", United States Patent Number 7006763, from: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7006763.html
» http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7006763.html
Moser, L. et al., 2008, "Induction welding of thermoplastic polymer composites using robotic techniques", SAMPE Journal, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 43-48.
Mouzakis, D.E. et al., 2008, "Accelerated environmental ageing study of polyester/glass fiber reinforced composites (GFRPCs)", Composites: Part B, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 467-475.
Ning, H. et al.,, 2007, "Design, manufacture and analysis of a thermoplastic composite frame structure for mass transit", Composite Structures, Vol. 80, No. 1, pp. 105-116.
Nino, G.F. et al., 2009, "Thermal NDI of resistance welded composite structures", Composites: Part B., Vol. 40, No 3, pp. 237-248.
Potente, H. et al., 1993, "Comparative investigation into the welding of glass-fibre-reinforced PES", Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol.6, No. 2, pp.147-159.
Prabhakaran, R. et al., 2006, "Contour laser - laser-transmission welding of glass reinforced nylon 6", Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 427-439.
Ray, B.C., 2006, "Temperature effect during humid ageing on interfaces of glass and carbon fibers reinforced epoxy composites", Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 298, No. 1, pp. 111-117.
Rezende, M.C. et al., 2011, "Compósitos estruturais - tecnologia e prática", Editora ArtLiber, São Paulo, Brasil.
Schwartz, M.M., 1994, "Joining of composite matrix materials", ASM Handbook, ASM International, Ohio, 182 p.
Siddiq, A. and Ghassemieh, E., 2008, "Thermomechanical analyses of ultrasonic welding process using thermal and acoustic softening effects", Mechanics of Materials, Vol. 40, No. 12, pp. 982-1000.
Silverman, E.M. and Griese, R.A., 1989, "Joining methods for graphite/PEEK thermoplastic composites", SAMPE Journal, Vol. 25, No. 5, pp. 34-38.
Sinmazçelik, T., 2006, "Natural weathering effects on the mechanical and surface properties of polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) composites", Materials and Design, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 270-277.
Stavrov, D. and Bersee, H.E.N., 2005, "Resistance welding of thermoplastic composites-an overview", Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 39-54.
Stavrov, D. et al., 2003, "Experimental investigation of large-scale welding of carbon fiber thermoplastic composite materials", In: Proceedings of ICCM-14 Conference, 2003, San Diego.
Stokes, V.K., 2003, "Experiments on the induction welding of thermoplastics", Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol. 43, No. 9, pp. 1523-1541.
Swartz, H.D. and Swartz, J.L., 1989, "Focused infrared melt fusion: another option for welding thermoplastic composites", SME Technical Paper: Joining Composites. EM89-175-16.
Todo, M. et al., 2000, "Strain-rate dependence of the tensile fracture behaviour of woven-cloth reinforced polyamide composites", Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 60, No. 5, pp. 763-771.
Velthuis, R. and Mitschang, P., 2003, "Induction welding technology - joining fibre reinforced thermoplastic polymers (composites) for aerospace applications", Mechanical Engineering Papers, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 1727-1734.
Vieille, B. et al., 2009, "Inflluence of temperature on the behavior of carbon fiber fabrics reinforced PPS laminates", Materials Science and Engineering A, Vol. 517, No. 1-2, pp. 51-60.
Vodicka, R., 1996, "Thermoplastics for airframe Applications, a review of the properties and repair methods for thermoplastic composites", Australian Department of Defence, DSTO Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory, Australia.
Wang, Y. and Hahn, T.H., 2007, "AFM characterization of the interfacial properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites subjected to hygrothermal treatments". Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 67, No. 1, pp. 92-101.
Wang, X. et al., 2006, "FEM investigation of the temperature field of energy director during ultrasonic welding of PEEK composites", Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 593-607.
Wise, R.J. and Froment, I.D., 2001, "Microwave welding of thermoplastics", Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 36, No. 24, pp. 5935-5954.
Xiao, X.R. et al.,1992, "Processing and modelling of resistance welding of APC-2 composite", Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 26, No. 7, pp. 1031-1049.
Yang, F.and Pitchumani, R., 2002a, "Healing of thermoplastic polymers at an interface under nonisothermal conditions", Macromolecules, Vol. 35, No. 8, pp. 3213-3224.
Yang, F. and Pitchumani, R., 2002b, "Interlaminar contact development during thermoplastic fusion bonding", Polymer Engineering & Science., Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 424-438.
Young, K. and Ye, L., 2005, "Influence of matrix and interface on transverse mechanical properties of CF-PEI thermoplastic composites at elevated temperatures", Journal of Reinforced Plastics Composites, Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 429-445.
Yousefpour, A. et al., 2004, "Fusion bonding/welding of thermoplastic composites", Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol.17, No. 4, pp. 303-341.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
Jul-Sep 2012

History

Received
05 July 2012
Accepted
03 Aug 2012

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

[1] Ageorges, C., Ye, L., 2001, "Simulation of impulse resistance welding for thermoplastic matrix composites", Applied Composite Materials, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 133-147.

[2] Ageorges, C., Ye, L., 2002, "Fusion bonding of polymer composites: from basic mechanisms to process optimisation". Springer, London.

[3] Ageorges, C. et al., 2001, "Advances in fusion bonding techniques for joining thermoplastic matrix composites: a review", Composites: Part A, Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 839-857.

[4] Ageorges, C. et al., 2000, "Experimental investigation of the resistance welding for thermoplastic-matrix composites. Part I: heating element and heat transfer", Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 60, No. 7, pp. 1027 - 1039.

[5] Arici, A.A., 2007, "Effect of hygrothermal aging on polyetherimide composites", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 26, No. 18, pp. 1937-1942.

[6] Balle, F. et al., 2009, "Ultrasonic metal welding of aluminium sheets to carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites", Advanced Engineering Material, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 1-2.

[7] Bates, P.J. et al., 2009, "Shear strength and meltdown behavior of reinforced polypropylene assemblies", Composites: Part A., Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 28-35.

[8] Botelho, E.C. et al., 2005 "Processing and hygrothermal effects on viscoelastic behavior of glass fiber/epoxy composites", Journal of Material Science, Vol. 40, No 14, pp. 3615-3623.

[9] Botelho, E.C. et al., 2003, "Mechanical behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polyamide composites", Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 63, No. 13, pp. 1843-1855.

[10] Botelho, E.C. and Rezende, M.C, 2007, "Damping behavior of hygrothermally conditioned carbon fiber/epoxy laminates", Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 106, No. 5, pp. 3143 - 3148.

[11] Botelho, E.C. et al., 2002, "Study of polyamide 6/6 synthesis carried out by interfacial polymerization on carbon fiber", Polymer International, Vol. 51, No. 11, pp. 1261-1267.

[12] Botelho, E.C. et al., 2001 "Synthesis of polyamide 6/6 by interfacial polycondensation with the simultaneous impregnation of carbon fibers", Macromolecules, Vol. 34, No. 10, pp. 3367-3375.

[13] Chen, Y.S., 2000, "IR welding of glass filled polyether sulfone composite", Tamkang Journal of Science and Engineering, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 229-234.

[14] Chen, Y.S. and Benatar, A., 1995, "Infrared welding of polypropylene", Annual Technical Conference / Society of Plastics Engineers, Vol.1, pp.1235-1238.

[15] Chevali, V.S. et al., 2010, "Effect of environmental weathering on flexural creep behavior of long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites", Polymer Degradation and Stability; Vol. 95, No. 12, pp. 2628-2640.

[16] Chung-Yuan, W. et al.,1999, "Microwave welding of HDPE using impedance matching system", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 27.

[17] Costa, A.P., 2010, "Efeito do condicionamento ambiental em compósitos soldados de PPS/fibras contínuas", dissertação de mestrado, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Guaratinguetá, SP.

[18] Costa, A.P. et al., 2010, "Influence of environmental conditioning on the shear behavior of poly(phenylene sulfide)/glass fiber composites", Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 118, No. 1, pp. 180-187.

[19] De Faria, M.C.M. et al.,, 2011, "The effect of the ocean water immersion and UV ageing on the dynamic mechanical properties of the PPS/glass fiber composites", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 30, No. 20, pp. 1729-1737.

[20] Don, R.C. et al., 1992, "Experimental characterization of processing-performance relationships of resistance welded graphite/polyetheretherketone composite joints", Polymer Engineering Science, Vol. 32, No. 9, pp. 620-631.

[21] Espert, A. et al., 2004, "Comparison of water absorption in natural cellulosic fibres from wood and one-year crops in polypropylene composites and its infl on their mechanical properties", Composites Part A, Vol. 35, No. 11, pp. 1267-1276.

[22] Grewell, D. and Benatar, A., 2007, "Welding of plastics: fundamentals and new developments", International Polymer Processing, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 43-51.

[23] Grewell, D.A. et al., 2003, "Plastic and composite welding handbook", Vol. 10, Hanser Publishers, Munich, 407 p.

[24] Grewell, D. et al., 2004, "Relationship between optical properties and optimized processing parameters for through-transmission laser welding of thermoplastics", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 239-247.

[25] Hou, M. et al., 1999, "An experimental study of resistance welding of carbon fibre fabric reinforced polyetherimide (CF fabric/PEI) composite material", Applied Composite Materials, Vol. 6, No. 6, pp. 35-49.

[26] Jayamol, G. et al., 1998, "Effects of environment on the properties of Low-density polyethylene composites reinforced with pineapple-leaf fibre", Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 58, No. 9, pp. 1471-1485.

[27] Jones F.R., 1994, "Moisture absorption - anomalous effects". In: Handbook of polymer fibre composites. Longman Scientific and Technical, UK, pp. 371-375.

[28] Kagan, V. and Bray, R., 2003, "Forward to better understanding of optical characterization and development of colored polyamides for the infra-red/laser welding: part I - efficiency of polyamides for infra-red welding", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 22, No. 6, pp. 533-547.

[29] Kagan, V. and Nichols, R.J., 2005, "Benefits of induction welding of reinforced thermoplastics in high performance applications", Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, Vol. 24, No. 13, pp. 1345-1352.

[30] Krüger, S. et al., 2004, "Ultrasonic welding of metal/composite joints", Advanced Engineering Materials, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 157-159.

[31] Ku, H.S. et al., 2003, "Variable frequency microwave (VFM) processing facilities and application in processing thermoplastic matrix composites", Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 139, No. 1-3, pp. 291-295.

[32] Labeas, G.N. et al., 2010, "Optimization of laser transmission welding process for thermoplastic composite parts using thermo-mechanical simulation", Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 113-118.

[33] Lee, K.H. et al., 1993, "Crystallization behavior of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and PPS/carbon fiber composites: Effect of cure", Polymer Bulletin, Vol. 30, No. 5, pp. 469-475.

[34] Levy, A. et al., 2008, "Ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic composites: modeling of the process", International Journal of Material Forming, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 887-890.

[35] Loos, A.C. et al., 1981, "Moisture absorption of polyester-E glass composites" in: Springer, G.S., editor. Environmental effects on composite materials. Technomic Publishing Company, New York.

[36] Mallick, P.K., 1993, "Fiber-reinforced composites: materials, manufacturing, and design". Marcel Dekker, New York, 881 p.

[37] Mazur, R.L. et al., 2008, "Avaliações térmica e reológica da matriz termoplástica PEKK utilizada em compósitos aeronáuticos", Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 237-243.

[38] Miller, R., 2006, "Method and apparatus for infrared welding of thermoplastic parts", United States Patent Number 7006763, from: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7006763.html
» http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7006763.html

[39] Moser, L. et al., 2008, "Induction welding of thermoplastic polymer composites using robotic techniques", SAMPE Journal, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 43-48.

[40] Mouzakis, D.E. et al., 2008, "Accelerated environmental ageing study of polyester/glass fiber reinforced composites (GFRPCs)", Composites: Part B, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 467-475.

[41] Ning, H. et al.,, 2007, "Design, manufacture and analysis of a thermoplastic composite frame structure for mass transit", Composite Structures, Vol. 80, No. 1, pp. 105-116.

[42] Nino, G.F. et al., 2009, "Thermal NDI of resistance welded composite structures", Composites: Part B., Vol. 40, No 3, pp. 237-248.

[43] Potente, H. et al., 1993, "Comparative investigation into the welding of glass-fibre-reinforced PES", Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol.6, No. 2, pp.147-159.

[44] Prabhakaran, R. et al., 2006, "Contour laser - laser-transmission welding of glass reinforced nylon 6", Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 427-439.

[45] Ray, B.C., 2006, "Temperature effect during humid ageing on interfaces of glass and carbon fibers reinforced epoxy composites", Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 298, No. 1, pp. 111-117.

[46] Rezende, M.C. et al., 2011, "Compósitos estruturais - tecnologia e prática", Editora ArtLiber, São Paulo, Brasil.

[47] Schwartz, M.M., 1994, "Joining of composite matrix materials", ASM Handbook, ASM International, Ohio, 182 p.

[48] Siddiq, A. and Ghassemieh, E., 2008, "Thermomechanical analyses of ultrasonic welding process using thermal and acoustic softening effects", Mechanics of Materials, Vol. 40, No. 12, pp. 982-1000.

[49] Silverman, E.M. and Griese, R.A., 1989, "Joining methods for graphite/PEEK thermoplastic composites", SAMPE Journal, Vol. 25, No. 5, pp. 34-38.

[50] Sinmazçelik, T., 2006, "Natural weathering effects on the mechanical and surface properties of polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) composites", Materials and Design, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 270-277.

[51] Stavrov, D. and Bersee, H.E.N., 2005, "Resistance welding of thermoplastic composites-an overview", Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 39-54.

[52] Stavrov, D. et al., 2003, "Experimental investigation of large-scale welding of carbon fiber thermoplastic composite materials", In: Proceedings of ICCM-14 Conference, 2003, San Diego.

[53] Stokes, V.K., 2003, "Experiments on the induction welding of thermoplastics", Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol. 43, No. 9, pp. 1523-1541.

[54] Swartz, H.D. and Swartz, J.L., 1989, "Focused infrared melt fusion: another option for welding thermoplastic composites", SME Technical Paper: Joining Composites. EM89-175-16.

[55] Todo, M. et al., 2000, "Strain-rate dependence of the tensile fracture behaviour of woven-cloth reinforced polyamide composites", Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 60, No. 5, pp. 763-771.

[56] Velthuis, R. and Mitschang, P., 2003, "Induction welding technology - joining fibre reinforced thermoplastic polymers (composites) for aerospace applications", Mechanical Engineering Papers, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 1727-1734.

[57] Vieille, B. et al., 2009, "Inflluence of temperature on the behavior of carbon fiber fabrics reinforced PPS laminates", Materials Science and Engineering A, Vol. 517, No. 1-2, pp. 51-60.

[58] Vodicka, R., 1996, "Thermoplastics for airframe Applications, a review of the properties and repair methods for thermoplastic composites", Australian Department of Defence, DSTO Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory, Australia.

[59] Wang, Y. and Hahn, T.H., 2007, "AFM characterization of the interfacial properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites subjected to hygrothermal treatments". Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 67, No. 1, pp. 92-101.

[60] Wang, X. et al., 2006, "FEM investigation of the temperature field of energy director during ultrasonic welding of PEEK composites", Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 593-607.

[61] Wise, R.J. and Froment, I.D., 2001, "Microwave welding of thermoplastics", Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 36, No. 24, pp. 5935-5954.

[62] Xiao, X.R. et al.,1992, "Processing and modelling of resistance welding of APC-2 composite", Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 26, No. 7, pp. 1031-1049.

[63] Yang, F.and Pitchumani, R., 2002a, "Healing of thermoplastic polymers at an interface under nonisothermal conditions", Macromolecules, Vol. 35, No. 8, pp. 3213-3224.

[64] Yang, F. and Pitchumani, R., 2002b, "Interlaminar contact development during thermoplastic fusion bonding", Polymer Engineering & Science., Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 424-438.

[65] Young, K. and Ye, L., 2005, "Influence of matrix and interface on transverse mechanical properties of CF-PEI thermoplastic composites at elevated temperatures", Journal of Reinforced Plastics Composites, Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 429-445.

[66] Yousefpour, A. et al., 2004, "Fusion bonding/welding of thermoplastic composites", Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol.17, No. 4, pp. 303-341.

Brasil