Can PC and PMMA be welded with laser?

PC (polycarbonate) and PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) are two common engineering plastics that are widely used in many fields. For these two materials, laser welding is a feasible welding method, but some specific factors need to be considered.

First, PC and PMMA have different optical and thermal properties. PMMA has a high transmittance to the laser beam, while PC has a relatively low transmittance. Therefore, during the laser welding process, for PC, the laser energy is mainly absorbed near the welding surface, resulting in melting and forming a weld, while for PMMA, the laser energy can penetrate the material and heat the welding contact surface.

Secondly, the melting points and thermal expansion coefficients of PC and PMMA are also different. During the laser welding process, it is necessary to ensure that the welding contact surface temperature of the two materials is appropriate to avoid uneven welding or insufficient melting due to too high or too low temperature. In addition, due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of the two materials, the influence of thermal stress may need to be considered during the welding process to avoid cracks or deformation.

In general, although PC and PMMA can be welded using laser, careful consideration and adjustment are required in selecting appropriate welding parameters, controlling temperature and thermal stress during welding, and optimizing the design of the welding contact surface to ensure ideal welding results.