PVC welding
Frequently asked questions about pvc welding
Polyvinyl chloride is the second most widely used plastic material in the world. Along with polyethylene, PVC is one of the materials used in a wide range of industries. Whether in rigid or flexible form, it is characterized by its strength and rot-proof properties. PVC can be welded either by gluing, high-frequency or ultrasonic welding.
What types of PVC can be welded?
Generally speaking, there are four different forms of polyvinyl chloride that can be joined by welding:
- Flexible PVC with a glossy appearance used for various types of floor, wall and ceiling coverings,
- PVC plastic films for packaging and stretch film,
- Rigid PVC is used in the manufacture of piping equipment such as drainpipes. It is also very popular for the construction of window coverings and the production of blister packs,
- Expanded PVC or Forex is widely used in the advertising industry for signage.
PVC assembly and welding techniques do not differ according to the form in which the material is presented, but according to the form in which the material is presented. While rigid PVC must be welded at 300 degrees Celsius, flexible PVC requires a minimum temperature rise of 400 degrees. Recyclable, malleable and lightweight, polyvinyl chlorides can be assembled using the various thermoplastic welding processes.
What techniques are used to weld PVC?
Polyvinyl chloride welding can be defined as the joining of thermoplastics. This corresponds to several plastic welding techniques:
- Ultrasonic welding of PVC using a low-frequency sonotrode,
- High-frequency welding of PVC using a current of 27.12 MHZ,
- Welding using heated mirrors or blades
- Laser beam welding,
- Impulse welding involves welding parts together using an electric current,
- Hot-gas welding, using a hot-air flashlight,
- Rotation welding involves generating heat through the rotation and pressure of materials,
- Dissolution welding is often used to repair objects.
PVC has the advantage of being a lightweight, highly malleable material, which is why numerous welding techniques have been developed for its application. Each technique has its own specific features, which speed up the assembly process, ensure rapid temperature rise and clean results.
PVC can also be joined by cold welding. This involves bonding suspended particles or fibers with a hot-melt adhesive. Soft PVCs are generally fused using this method.
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What is thermoforming plastics welding?
Thermoformable plastic welding is a set of technologies for joining thermoplastic polymers. These assembly techniques, known as thermoplastic welding, can be used to assemble both rigid parts and flexible films.
Thermoforming plastic assembly technologies differ according to the quantity and type of parts to be assembled:
- Cold welding or bonding using solvent, polymer or methacrylate adhesives.
- High-frequency, ultrasonic, gas, mirror, rotation, laser or pulse heat welding.
The most frequently welded thermoformable plastics are Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene (PS).
