Laser welding of thermoplastics is a new jointing technique with a host of advantages. It is not only another extremely useful welding method but also a cost-effective alternative to traditional techniques involving screws or adhesives. Transmission laser-welding of thermoplastics such as polycarbonate(PC), polypropylene(PP), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), low density polyethylene(LDPE) and acrylic using a high power diode laser has been studied experimentally. The optical transmission of each plastic has been measured at laser wavelength of 808nm. The weld process has been characterized by the specific energy and weld time required for each plastic. The characteristics of laser welding between same plastics have also been analyzed.
