A rechargeable battery including a housing formed from two components formed from polyphenysulfone plastic. One housing component has a lip that is located inwardly of the other housing component. The housing components are further formed so that photonic energy at a select wavelength passes through the outer component and is absorbed by the lip of the second component. Once a rechargeable cell is placed in in one of the housing components, the housing components are placed together so the lip of the second component abuts an inner surface of the first component. Photonic energy at the select wavelength is directed to the joint between the components. The photonic energy passes through the first component and heats the lip of the second component. The heat causes the lip to melt. The melting plastic forms a hermetic weld between the housing components.
