Moisture Effects on Mechanical Performance of Laser-welded Polyamide

Basic experimental investigations, in our case of polyamide at ‘dry-as-molded conditions’, include optical examination and mechanical performance for through transmission laser welding technology. Recent developments on laser welding of thermoplastics for automotive powertrain applications have discussed the influence of accumulated moisture on the optical and mechanical characteristics of laser welded polyamide. Results from this report provide supporting data that moisture in polyamides is not a barrier for laser welding applications, nor is detrimental for the mechanical performance of welded parts in automotive powertrain applications. Laser welding would be able to satisfy and support the basic demands of the mechanical performance of welded polyamide at various environmental and manufacturing conditions. This can only be achieved at optimized processing and weld design conditions.