Spin welding

From Plastics Wiki, free encyclopedia

Spin welding Bonds two cylindrical plastic parts together by frictional heat. This method is well suited for joining thermoformed container halves. Injection molded cylindrical parts, etc. Because the actual bond is made through heating and then fusing the mating surfaces, only thermoplastics can be joined by spin welding.

Process

Friction between the parts results in heating their ends. After a predetermined time the rotation stops and the molten regions of the work pieces are fused together under an axial pressure applied until the joint is cooled down. Spin Welding is similar to Friction Welding (FRW).

Applications

Spin Welding is used for manufacturing aerosol bottles, floats and other circular parts.

Advantages

• Reproducibility;
• Large parts may be welded;
• High quality weld;
• Oxidizing polymers may be welded.

Disadvantages

• At least one of the parts to be welded should have a circular symmetry;
• Minimum rigidity required.