title: Laser welding of thermoplastic materials.
abstract: The capabilities of the three main types of laser are compared and a new technique is introduced, which laser welds plastics using an infrared absorber to create a joint that is almost invisible to the human eye.
authors.affiliation: TWI Ltd, Great Abington, UK.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Chipperfield
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D010969:Plastics; D014896:Welding / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics