Date Approved

11-13-2007

Date Posted

1-21-2010

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department or School

Technology Studies

Committee Member

Subhas Ghosh, PhD, Chair

Committee Member

Morell Boone, PhD

Committee Member

Vijay Mannari, PhD

Abstract

Ultrasonic seaming offers many advantages as an alternative for joining fabrics, such as efficiency, reduced cost, conservation of energy, and recyclability of the product.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasonic weld parameters – weld pressure, weld time, amplitude of vibration, seam design, and material properties – on seam efficiency and stiffness of a seam. This study also compares seam efficiency and stiffness of (a) ultrasonic seam to that of sewn seam and (b) ultrasonic seam from continuous mode of operation to that of plunge mode. Regression and analytical tests were used to analyze the results.

Results indicate weld time and pressure have a significant affect on seam efficiency and stiffness, while amplitude influenced seam properties in conjunction with other variables. Seam design did not influence seam efficiency though affected stiffness. Successful seam formation was observed in PET and PET/Cotton. Appreciable seam efficiency was not observed in Spectra due to low range of melt-onset and melt-max temperature and change in fiber morphology.

Results indicate no difference in seam efficiency between plunge and continuous mode of operation, while stiffness was higher in plunge mode than continuous mode of operation. Seam efficiency of sewn seam was comparable to an ultrasonic seam though stiffness in ultrasonic seam was higher.

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