Panasonic to Produce Compounds for Auto Laser Welding

Panasonic Corporation will start mass production of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) molding compounds to be used for laser welding in the manufacture of automotive switches and sensors.

Current production methods for such parts typically involve ultrasonic welding, bonding with adhesive agents and sealing with packings and bolts. Laser welding has recently attracted the industry's attention as its high joining strength can shorten the bonding time and increase productivity. However, plastic molding compounds used for laser welding have generally had low laser transmittance, leading to problems with welding strength and waterproof properties.

Panasonic says its PBT molding compounds overcome these limitations, offering the industry's highest laser transmittance and enabling flexibility of design and long-term reliability in the production of automotive components.

The molding compounds have the following performance specifications:

Laser transmittance of 72%, compared with 52% for Panasonic's conventional products.

No air leakage under air pressure of 3 atm in water after a high-temperature/high-humidity storage test (1,000 hours in a temperature of 85 degrees Celsius and humidity of 85%) or a temperature cycling test (ranging between -40 degrees Celsius and 100 degrees Celsius).

Warpage of molded parts of 0.5 mm or less, compared with 2.3 mm for the company's conventional products.

Hydrolysis resistance sufficient for small to large automotive components—with strength retention rate after the aforementioned high-temperature/high-humidity storage test of 94%, compared to 50% for its conventional products.

Panasonic's manufacturing of molding compounds for the automotive sector, scheduled to begin in March 2016, follows on the heels of its announcement in early February that it has established a joint venture with Dalian Levear Electric to manufacture car batteries in China. The companies say they expect to begin battery production in 2017.