Effect of YAG Laser Light on the Weldability of Stainless Steel and Polyethylene Terephthalate

Abstract

The objective of the study was to understand the effect of YAG laser light on the joinability via chemical reaction of dissimilar materials (SUS304 stainless steel of 0.5 mm thickness and polyethylene terephthalate of 1 mm thickness). Two lap joint configurations were used: a) transparent polyethylene terephthalate as the top sheet where laser penetration through the weld zone was possible and b) stainless steel as the top sheet where laser was impenetrable through the weld zone. Based on the experimental results, it was found that the joints between stainless steel and polyethylene terephthalate could be obtained using either of the tested welding configurations. Moreover, the joints obtained when the stainless steel was used as the top sheet could similarly resist the load to those obtained when the polyethylene terephthalate was used as the top sheet. Furthermore, no evidence of mechanical interlocking in the joining zone was observed, indicating that the joint could be obtained by chemical reaction between the stainless steel and polyethylene terephthalate. Thus, it could be concluded that the laser light did not directly promote the reaction between stainless steel and polyethylene terephthalate, but provided the heat to promote such a chemical reaction.