Investigation of the Repairability of Thermoplastic Composite Structures Through Conduction Welding

Thermoplastic composites are gaining prominence in various industries for their recyclability and superior mechanical properties. This thesis investigates the use of thermoplastic composites, emphasizing their notable capability for repair and joining through conduction welding, a cost-effective fusion bonding technique that eliminates the necessity for adhesives or mechanical fasteners in the assembly of composite materials. By applying this method, the repairability of thermoplastic composite samples is assessed through the application of variously sized repair patches welded to open hole tensile samples. Furthermore, this research investigates the optimization of welding parameters, such as temperature and compaction pressure, aiming to produce high shear strength joints produced by this technique. The findings of these studies highlight the potential of conduction welding as an effective and economical approach for the assembly and repair of thermoplastic composites, suggesting its promise for wider adoption in composite manufacturing and repair processes.