Mechanisms of ultrasonic joining of textile materials Available to Purchase

Investigates the potential for building smart seams by incorporating optic fibers ultrasonically. The heating and bonding mechanisms of ultrasonic welding process in fabrics were studied. Battle dress uniform (BDU) (50/50 nylon/cotton), 100 percent cotton, 100 percent polyester and Nomex fabrics were used and were bonded ultrasonically with and without polyurethane adhesives. The effects of three important welding parameters, namely weld pressure, weld time and amplitude of vibration, on the joint strength and the temperature profile at the interface were examined. The temperature profiles for different fabrics were measured during ultrasonic welding process. The attenuation degree of signal transition properties of optic fibers incorporated was tested to determine if ultrasonic process provided a possible way of embedding optic fibers into seams and achieving sufficient joint strength while the signal transmission properties of optic fibers incorporated were not changed significantly.