Rotor blades having thermoplastic components and methods for joining rotor blade components

A method for joining blade components of a wind turbine rotor blade, the method comprising:

• positioning an insert between and in contact with a first blade component and a second blade component, at least one of the first blade component or the second blade component comprising a thermoset and a localized portion of a thermoplastic resin, the insert comprising a thermoplastic resin and an energy absorptive pigment;
• applying a compressive force to the first blade component, the second blade component, and the insert;
• heating the thermoplastic resin of the at least one of the first blade component or the second blade component and the thermoplastic resin of the insert;
• and
• cooling the thermoplastic resin of the at least one of the first blade component or the second blade component and the thermoplastic resin of the insert,
• wherein the heating step and the cooling step join the first blade component, the second blade component and the insert together.