Fusion Bonding Possibility for Incompatible Polymers by the Novel Ultrasonic Welding Technology: Effect of Interfacial Compatibilization

Fusion bonding for polymers has been successfully welded for the same and dissimilar materials. However, it is difficult to bond incompatible polymers due to poor interfacial adhesion. Usually, interfacial compatibilization can resolve this problem. According to the mechanism, an interlayer solder sheet (ISS) consisting of maleic anhydride-functionalized polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and polyamide6 (PA6) was introduced into the ultrasonic welding (USW) device. In this way, it successfully realized the weldability between PP and PA6. The welding strength of PP-PA6 reached 22.3 MPa, about 84% welding strength for the PP body and 63% tensile strength for PP. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the formation of PP-g-PA6 copolymer in blends. This copolymer played the role of an emulsifier, which enhanced the interfacial adhesion between PP and PA6 in two phases, leading to micron-scale homogeneity. In the USW process, the copolymer could act as a bridge between PP and PA6 molecular chains to realize the fusion bonding of incompatible polymers. Finally, we proposed the fusion bonding model for PP-PA6 interfaces.

Automated summary

In this study, fusion bonding of incompatible polymers PP and PA6 was achieved by introducing an interlayer solder sheet (ISS) consisting of maleic anhydride-functionalized polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and polyamide6 (PA6). The welding strength reached a high level, and the copolymer acted as an emulsifier to enhance the interfacial adhesion between PP and PA6.