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Thermoplastic Composites: Induction Welding

  

Goals for Research
Fastener Free Assembly
- Prevent usage of adhesives and mechanical fasteners for joints in thermoplastic composite structures
- Cut down/eliminate recurring cost associated with mechanical fasteners and adhesives
- Cut down on overall weight of thermoplastic composite structures (i.e. airframe weight)
- Being able to design for inducting welding

Current Research Focus Areas

  • Coil Design
  • High Power Induction Welding
  • Heat Management Systems
  • Induction Welding Tooling Design
  • Induction Heating for Consolidation of
  • Laminates and Post-processing

  • Modeling of Induction Welding
  • Process for Manufacturability
  • Design for Induction Welding
  • Process Parameter Development

  • Characterization of Thermoplastic Material Systems through Mechanical, Thermal, and Physical Testing.
  • Microscopy
  • Building Block Approach Mechanical Testing

  • Time-above-Temperature Monitoring in Weld Zone.
  • Minimal to No Influence on Structural Performance
  • Monitoring of Part from Manufacturing to End of Life