Ultrasonic fortification of interfiber autohesive contacts in meltblown nonwoven materials

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Amit Rawal - , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) (Author)
  • Danvendra Singh - , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) (Author)
  • Alok Maurya - , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) (Author)
  • Siddharth Shukla - , Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) (Author)
  • Muktar Seid Hussen - , TUD Dresden University of Technology, Bahir Dar University (Author)
  • Yordan Kyosev - , Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology, Chair of Development and Assembly of Textile Products, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Imre Szenti - , University of Szeged (Author)
  • Akos Kukovecz - , University of Szeged (Author)
  • Nawar Kadi - , University of Borås (Author)
  • Vijay Kumar - , University of Borås (Author)

Abstract

Autohesion is a unique class of adhesion that enables the bonding of two identical surfaces by establishing intimate contact at interfaces. Creating intimacy between two identical surfaces poses a challenging task, often constrained by the presence of surface roughness and chemical heterogeneity. To surmount this challenge, we document a variety of autohesive traits in polypropylene-based meltblown nonwovens, accomplished through a facile, scalable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective ultrasonic bonding process. The mean work of autohesion for a single polypropylene bond, serving as a figure of merit, has been computed by extending the classical Johnson−Kendall−Roberts (JKR) theory by factoring in peel strength along with key fiber and structural parameters of nonwoven materials. Achieving a high figure of merit in ultrasonically bonded nonwovens hinges on the synergistic interplay of key process parameters, including static force, power, and welding speed, with the fiber and structural properties acting in concert. In this regard, peel-off force analysis has also been conducted on a series of twenty-seven ultrasonically bonded meltblown nonwovens prepared using a 33 full factorial design by systematically varying process parameters (static force, power, and welding speed) across three levels and extension rate. X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT) analysis has been performed on select ultrasonically bonded nonwoven samples to discern their bulk characteristics. A broad spectrum of mean work of autohesion for a single polypropylene bond, ranging from 1.88 to 9.93 J/m², has been ascertained by modulating key process parameters.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number100217
JournalJournal of Advanced Joining Processes
Volume9
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-3376-1423/work/172571887

Keywords

Keywords

  • Autohesion, Nonwoven, Peel-off, Ultrasonic bonding, Work of autohesion