The primary steps in plastic welding are pressing, heating and cooling
- Pressing: The application of pressure, which is often used throughout both the heating and cooling stages, is used to retain the parts in the proper orientation and to improve melt flow across the interface.
- Heating: The purpose of the heating stage is to allow intermolecular diffusion from one part to the other across the faying surface (melt mixing).
- Cooling: Cooling is necessary to solidify the newly formed bond; the execution of this stage can have a significant effect on weld strength.