Method for bonding a thermoplastic polymer to a thermosetting polymer component

A method for bonding a thermoplastic polymer to a thermosetting polymer component, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a thermoplastic polymer,
• b) providing a cured thermosetting polymer component comprising an implant of a thermoplastic implant polymer at least at the part of the thermosetting polymer component to be bonded,
• c) locating the thermoplastic polymer in contact with at least the part to be bonded,
• d) heating the thermoplastic polymer and thermosetting polymer component at least in the area of contact to the melting temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, whereby the thermoplastic implant polymer melts and fuses with the thermoplastic polymer;
• and
• e) cooling the assembly of thermoplastic polymer and cured thermosetting polymer component such that the thermoplastic polymer is bonded to the cured thermosetting polymer component,
• wherein the thermoplastic polymer has a melting temperature that exceeds the curing temperature of the thermosetting polymer of the cured thermosetting polymer component, wherein the heat applied to melt the thermoplastic polymer to be bonded and the thermoplastic implant polymer is located substantially at an interface to be welded, and wherein the implant is designed such that heating above the maximum operating temperature of the thermosetting polymer at an interface of the implant with the thermosetting polymer is avoided during the bonding step d) by maintaining a temperature gradient in the thermoplastic implant polymer during thermal bonding by welding such that the temperature at the interface of the implant with the thermosetting polymer is sufficiently low not to substantially degrade the thermosetting polymer, even when heating is above such degradation temperature, and by applying heat sinks to parts of the implant, which heat sinks are directly applied onto the implant, and which heat sinks are removed after bonding.