A filter element (20) includes individual components (2, 4, 8), such as a filter medium (8) as one component and further filter element components (2, 4), of which at least one component (4) is made of a material that is at least partially transparent to laser light and at least one further component (2), in the manner of a barrier layer, is made of a material that is at least partially opaque to laser light to perform a transmission welding method by laser light for connecting associable components to each other. At least some of the components of the filter element that are exposed to the laser light during the transmission welding method are at least partially electrically conductive.

A process, for joining workpieces using hybrid mechanical connector-resistance welding. The process in some embodiments includes introducing a conductive fluid to an interface between the workpieces. The process also includes inserting at least one mechanical conductive connector into at least one of the workpieces so that the connector reaches the interface having the conductive fluid therein. The process in some embodiments includes further applying energy for welding to the at least one mechanical conductive connector so that the energy passes, through the connector, to the conductive fluid and heat is generated in the workpieces at the interface, thereby melting the workpieces and forming a weld joint connecting the workpieces.

A process, for joining workpieces using hybrid mechanical connector-resistance welding. The process in some embodiments includes introducing a conductive fluid to an interface between the workpieces. The process also includes inserting at least one mechanical conductive connector into at least one of the workpieces so that the connector reaches the interface having the conductive fluid therein. The process in some embodiments includes further applying energy for welding to the at least one mechanical conductive connector so that the energy passes, through the connector, to the conductive fluid and heat is generated in the workpieces at the interface, thereby melting the workpieces and forming a weld joint connecting the workpieces.

A method of bonding a second object to a first object includes: providing the first object having a thermoplastic liquefiable material in a solid state; providing the second object having a surface portion that has a coupling structure with an undercut, so that the second object is capable of making a positive-fit connection with the first object; pressing the second object against the first object with a tool that is in physical contact with a coupling-in structure of the second object while mechanical vibrations are coupled into the tool; continuing to press and couple vibrations into the tool until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the first object is liquefied and flows into the coupling structures of the second object; and letting the thermoplastic material re-solidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects by the re-solidified flow portion interpenetrating the coupling structures.

A method of bonding a second object to a first object includes: providing the first object having a thermoplastic liquefiable material in a solid state; providing the second object having a surface portion that has a coupling structure with an undercut, so that the second object is capable of making a positive-fit connection with the first object; pressing the second object against the first object with a tool that is in physical contact with a coupling-in structure of the second object while mechanical vibrations are coupled into the tool; continuing to press and couple vibrations into the tool until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the first object is liquefied and flows into the coupling structures of the second object; and letting the thermoplastic material re-solidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects by the re-solidified flow portion interpenetrating the coupling structures.

A composition includes 100 parts by weight of poly(alkylene terephthalate) and 0.01 to 2 part by weight of a compound represented by Formula (1), a partially saponified derivative thereof, or a combination thereof, (1) wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and n are defined herein. The composition, which excludes copolymers of an unsubstituted or substituted styrene and an unsaturated nitrile, is useful for molding articles with very smooth surfaces. For example, the composition can be used to mold directly-metallizable substrates for automotive headlight reflectors and bezels.

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A laser welded structure is formed by laser welding together a resin molded body formed from a thermoplastic polymer alloy containing a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin and a metal body made of a metal. A glass transition temperature of the amorphous resin is lower than a melting start temperature of the crystalline resin.

A laser welded structure is formed by laser welding together a resin molded body formed from a thermoplastic polymer alloy containing a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin and a metal body made of a metal. A glass transition temperature of the amorphous resin is lower than a melting start temperature of the crystalline resin.

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle luminous device including at least one first portion that is transparent to at least one laser beam, the portion having at least one first polymer material, and at least one second portion that absorbs the laser beam and is transparent to at least some of the visible spectrum, including at least one second polymer material, the second portion being laser welded to the first portion.

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle luminous device including at least one first portion that is transparent to at least one laser beam, the portion having at least one first polymer material, and at least one second portion that absorbs the laser beam and is transparent to at least some of the visible spectrum, including at least one second polymer material, the second portion being laser welded to the first portion.