Heat Staking

Bespoke Electro-Mechanical Provider

Heat staking is the process that allows for the joining of components to a plastic moulding by joining two dissimilar materials together. In heat staking we use local heating to raise the temperature of plastic components and allow plastic reforming to be carried out. The plastic is deformed by heating it to a temperature above the glass transition temperature. The bond is made by partially de-forming the plastic part in order to fix the other. Pressure is then applied to create the stake. After the stake has been formed, the plastic is then cooled down again below the glass transition temperature.

The heat staking process technology creates almost no mechanical stress because it operates through a precise control and application of the temperature and pressure to cause the reforming of the plastic that it makes contact with. Even glass-filled plastics can be reliably joined using this method, which is not the case for cold staking or other techniques.

Heat Staking makes it easy to bond metal to plastic and is commonly used in high volume/low cost applications such as automotive, IT and consumer appliances.

Request a quote