A polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin from Japanese engineering thermoplastics supplier Polyplastics has enhanced properties for laser welding automotive parts and other applications. In particular, the Durafide PPS grade provides improved transmittance and toughness, said the company.

As a joining method, laser welding offers several advantages, but it has been difficult to use with PPS because of the material's low laser transmittance and related challenges, such as a narrow processing window.

To address these issues, Polyplastics has leveraged the natural white color of its linear PPS as opposed to the reddish-brown natural color of competitive crosslinked PPS materials. This enables better light transmissibility in the infrared region and optimizes laser welding.

Durafide PPS achieves approximately a 6% improvement in laser transmittance, resulting in a wider processing window for a range of welding conditions. The material also is approximately 28% tougher than standard grades, improving not only initial strength but durability. Durafide PPS also offers strong dimensional stability, low warpage, and chemical resistance, according to Polyplastics.

Durafide PPS is suited for laser welding automotive electric components, including electric water pumps, shift actuators, electric-variable valve timing actuators, solenoid valves, and various sensors.

Polyplastics said it will continue research to further advance the laser transmittance properties of PPS and widen its processing window.