The Three Stages Of Plastic Welding

Plastic is a popular material for many industrial manufacturer. Since plastic is both pliable and affordable, it can offer the perfect solution for your component production needs. In order to create your finished components, you may find that you need to join two pieces of plastic together. This can be achieved through plastic welding.

Here are the three stages of plastic welding that must be completed in order to produce clean and durable welded seams in the future.

Step 1: Surface Preparation

Before you can begin the actual welding process, you need to ensure that the surfaces of both plastic pieces have been prepared properly. Many people overlook the importance of surface preparation, and their welded seams often fail prematurely because of it.

In order for your plastic surfaces to join properly with one another, they need to be clean. Wipe down your raw materials with a sponge and some warm water. Avoid using cleansers because these solvents can introduce a film onto the surface of your plastics that will interfere with the quality of your welded seams.

Step 2: Applying Pressure and Heat

Once your plastic surfaces are prepared for welding, you can begin the actual welding process. In order to achieve strong, uniform welds, you need to apply both heat and pressure as you join your raw materials.

By applying consistent pressure to your welding rod as you move along the seam with your welding tip, you will be able to ensure a steady flow of materials that will generate a clean and structurally sound seam once you have completed your weld.

Step 3: Cooling

It can take several minutes to complete a single welded seam, but it's important to recognize that the welding process isn't complete once your seam is in place. Plastic materials will remain pliable and subject to bending or breakage as long as they are warm.

Before you can test the strength of your welded seam, you need to let your plastic components cool completely. Only when totally cooled will the plastic regain its tensile strength and provide you with an accurate estimation of the strength of your completed weld.

Understanding the three stages of the plastic welding process will allow you to create stronger and more aesthetically pleasing welded seams in the future. Be sure that you are taking the time to prepare your plastic surfaces, that you are applying steady heat and pressure while welding, and that you allow adequate cooling time if you want your plastic welding processes to be more successful. Contact a company, like MGM Plastics, for more help.


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