A welding machine for thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) films: Novel apparatus and experimental investigations

The ultimate strength values of welded specimens are reasonable with a maximum reduction of only 2.73% in comparison with that of original specimens. It is revealed from experimental observations that one-parameter analysis (temperature or pressure) cannot draw suitable conclusions but that coupled two-parameter analysis could obtain suitable temperature range (290-295 °C) and pressure range (0-100 N). The confidence interval with the confidence coefficient of 0.95 is 71.2-72.8 MPa for the ultimate strength. The comparisons between five types demonstrate the feasibility of using this resistance welding machine to weld TPI films.