Experimental and Numerical Study for the Optimization of Process Parameters in Laser Welded and Adhesively Bonded PBT GF30 Fillet Joints

With the advancement of technological processes and the application of fibre-reinforced polymer matrices in elements of vehicles, there has been a demand for the optimization of productivity, enhancing automation, reduction in process time and increasing the quality of part joining, allowing to manufacture high performance protective enclosures for electrical circuits. In this context, the laser welding process has gained importance especially when the polymer matrix is thermoplastic. On the other hand, adhesive bonding also has a wide application in this market, although it often harder to automate and requires a longer time for the curing of the process, which can reduce productivity. This work aims to study and optimize the laser welding parameters in overlapped joints of PBT GF30, joined by fillets at the ends performed through manual laser spot welding, to experimentally compare with joints with similar geometries joined by adhesive joints, validated by numerical models for the experimental conditions. The model identified the most effective parameters and was found to replicate the experimental results with a high degree of accuracy.