Temperature control for induction welding of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) composite material via thermal conduction plate

The temperature distribution along the thickness direction and along the weld line for carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) composite was recorded and optimized. According to the temperature distribution result, the induction welding of CF/PEEK laminates was carried out with appropriate power and heating time, with the help of vacuum bag and properly placed thermal conduction plates. The single lap strength of the welded sample was tested, and the fracture morphology of the weld area was observed and analyzed. The results show that the thermal conduction plates have a good heat dissipation effect around the surfaces of the laminates. The lower the welding power, the more uniform the heating of the welding area, but the heating time will be extended. Under the optimized processing parameters of power of 600 and heating time of 300 s in vacuum bag, and intentionally placed thermal conduction plates above the top surface and along the lateral sides, the single lap shear strength of the part reaches 41.57 MPa.