RF Welding & RF Sealing
FODI utilizes a technology called RF welding or Dielectric welding. This is a process utilizing radiofrequency waves to weld two films or fabrics together on a molecular level creating a hermetic bond.
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What is Dielectric Sealing, RF Sealing, or Heat Sealing
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This is a process that’s known by many names, and you might have heard one of the other terms for the process: dielectric sealing, RF sealing, RF welding, heat sealing. They all describe the same high-tech method of joining thermoplastic films using Radio Frequency (RF) energy. Those RF waves excite the molecules of the materials to be joined from the inside out, fusing the materials together. It doesn’t leak either air, moisture, water, or fuel, depending on your application.
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No Heat Required
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Though you might hear “heat sealing” used to describe this process, it’s not entirely accurate. There is no heat involved in the process of RF Welding. This is not a table-top heat sealer you might use to close a bag of chips or preserve your leftovers–RF Welding is a molecular process, binding two materials with a seal much stronger than whatever any household appliance can do.
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Using Dies for Heat Sealing and RF Welding
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An important component of any welding apparatus is the die that is used. The basic design of heat sealing dies consists of a solid, flat lower platen. The die is comprised of one or more bars made of brass that are shaped into the desired seal shape.
These are placed over a sleeve or other material that needs to be sealed and then, in the case of heat sealing, heated to a high temperature. The time and RF settings are set on the machine and the process begins. After the material has been sealed, the product can be removed and a new material can be placed onto the platen.
The dies used for heat sealing and RF welding should be of high quality. The die should be durable, able to resist wear and tear, and be resistant to rust.
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What is PVC Sealing
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PVC sealing is a high frequency welding process that allows for the application of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) to a soft fabric or film. PVC has the advantage of being light weight, durable, and abrasion resistant and is often used in waterproofing fabrics. PVC is considered to be an excellent material for radio-frequency welding because of its strong dipolar moment and other chemical properties. PVC Welding refers to a similar process whereby PVC is the material of choice when welding together fabrics, plastics, or other materials together.
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What is HF Welding
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HF welding is another term used for RF sealing, and is used interchangeably. Both terms are used to describe the process of using high-frequency radio waves to bind two thermoplastic materials together. Another term used to describe this process is RF heating, HF heating, and dielectric sealing.
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