Ultrasonic weld properties of heterogeneous polymers: Polylactide and poly (methyl methacrylate)

This paper aims to investigate the effects of welding conditions and the correlation between welding strengths and interfaces structures on the weld between polylactide (PLA) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Using our proposed ultrasonic weld (USW) method, PLA and PMMA composites (PLA/PMMA) are valid to employ as interposed sheet (IPS) experimentally. There are optimum welding times and welding presses depending on the peak welding strengths. The maximum welding strength can reach as high as 90% of the tensile strength of the matrix PLA, while the welding time is 4 s and welding press is 0.6 MPa. But excessive welding presses are deleterious to the weld, and it can also bring IPS destroying during the weld work.