In lighting applications as in many other segments, the trend towards lightweight construction and increased functionality is making it increasingly necessary to combine disparate materials with one another in a single product. By combining the good thermal conductivity of die-cast components with the high surface quality of injection-moulded parts, it is possible to satisfy the stringent demands of LED technology.
The aim of this cooperation project is to develop a hybrid, amorphous thermoplastic/light-metal composite. The joining technology used for this is a quasi-full-area microscale laser structuring on the light-metal component. Through the back-moulding of the structured surface, the composite is produced during the moulding of the plastic. This high-strength material composite is resistant to changing temperatures and can also be optimised with regard to its media-proof characteristics. It can be used to produce functional, load-bearing components with decorative covering components in a single part, whereby build volume and weight as well as logistics and assembly costs can be significantly reduced through shorter process chains.