Method and apparatus for welding a thermoset object to a further object via thermoplastic outer layers

A method of welding a first object to a second object, wherein the first object has been produced from a thermoset and comprises an outer layer of a thermoplastic material, wherein the second object comprises at least one outer layer of a thermoplastic material, and wherein the method comprises:

• applying a layer of carbon nanotubes to the outer layer comprising the thermoplastic material of the first object;
• disposing at least one temperature sensor within the layer of carbon nanotubes;
• placing the second object onto the first object, wherein at least part of the outer layer comprising the thermoplastic material of the second object rests on the layer of carbon nanotubes applied;
• and
• applying a potential to the layer of carbon nanotubes, such that an electrical current flows through the carbon nanotubes, wherein the outer layer comprising the thermoplastic material of the first object and the outer layer comprising the thermoplastic material of the second object are heated and are welded to one another.

An apparatus for welding a first object to a second object, wherein the first object has been produced from a thermoset and comprises an outer layer of a thermoplastic material, wherein the second object comprises at least one outer layer of a thermoplastic material, and wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a holding element set up to accommodate and to hold the first object, wherein the second object has been placed onto the first object, and wherein at least part of the outer layer comprising the thermoplastic material of the second object lies atop a layer of carbon nanotubes applied to the outer layer comprising the thermoplastic material of the first object, the holding element comprising at least one magnetic component, and a press mold comprising a further magnetic component attracted by the at least one magnetic component on opposite sides of the first object and of the second object, wherein the at least one magnetic component and the further magnetic component are configured to press the first object and the second object against one another;
• a temperature sensor at least one of atop or within the layer of carbon nanotubes;
• and
• at least one power terminal set up to apply a potential to the layer of carbon nanotubes, such that an electrical current flows through the carbon nanotubes, wherein the outer layer comprising the thermoplastic material of the first object and the outer layer comprising the thermoplastic material of the second object are heated and are welded to one another.