Repair and recycling of metal and plastic hybrid components

Application: simplified customisation and repair of assemblies with wearing surfaces

Initial situation

New product developments and innovations must not only implement new functionalities, but also comply with the current Eco-design rules regarding energy efficiency, reparability and material recycling. At the same time, the demand for customised products meeting specific requirements is increasing. In order to meet these requirements, assembly and disassembly processes for the replacement of wearing parts must be included at the product design stage. Wearing parts can be surfaces in buses or trains that are subject to heavy mechanical stress due to passenger use. Worn surfaces may even cause the disposal of fully functional household appliances or kitchen furnishings and equipment.

Solution

The hyJOIN® system technology enables the connection of plastic parts with concealed metal fixing points without the use of additional material. If, for example, the plastic part is scratched or otherwise damaged, it can be removed from the concealed metal fixing points almost without residue. In the next step, the replacement part can then be added again in the same location. The reversibility of thermal direct joining for connecting metal to plastic and subsequent separation thus enables the development of innovative repair and recycling strategies.

Technical consultancy