Lap shear strength comparison between different random glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic matrix composites bonded by adhesives using variable-frequency microwave irradiation

This paper compares the lap shear strengths of three types of random glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic matrix composite joined by adhesives using microwave energy. Variable-frequency microwave (VFM) (2-18 GHz) facilities are used to join 33 wt % random glass fibre reinforced low-density polyethylene composite [LDPE/GF (33%)], 33 wt % random glass fibre reinforced polystyrene composite [PS/GF (33%)] and 33 wt % random glass fibre reinforced nylon 66 composite [nylon 66/GF (33%)]. With a given power level, the composites were exposed for various times to microwave irradiation. The primer or coupling agent used was a 5 min two-part adhesive.