Influence of Ultrasonic Transducer Structural Parameters on the Frictional Plasticizing Heat Generation of Polymer Particles

Abstract

This paper explores the influence of structural parameters of ultrasonic transducer on the frictional plasticizing heat generation of polymer particles. A three-dimensional model of the interfacial friction plasticizing heating was established, and a transducer with different structural parameters was designed and analyzed. The actual output longitudinal vibration excitation of the transducer obtained by simulation analysis was directly loaded into the heating model, which further investigated the effect of various structural parameters on the frictional plasticizing heating process and temperature distribution of polymer particles. The results demonstrated that the interfacial friction plasticizing heating temperature of polymer particles increases nonlinearly with the longitudinal vibration excitation time, and the heat generation is a transient process. The amplification ratio has the greatest influence on the interfacial friction plasticizing heating rates of polymer particles, followed by both front cover length and piezoelectric ceramic pieces thickness; the effects of length of rear cover, horn and ultrasonic tool head are the smallest. The present work provides an effective basis for further studying the ultrasonic plasticizing of polymer particles in ultrasonic micro-molding.

Fabrication of Micro Ultrasonic Powder Molding Polypropylene Part with Hydrophobic Patterned Surface

“…In micro-UPM, ultrasonic vibration was applied to the polymer pellets [ 25 , 26 ]. Under the effect of the ultrasonic vibration, friction between the polymer pellets could take place and, thus, the heat can be generated for fabricating the microplastic parts, which has high forming efficiency [ 27 , 28 ]. During micro-UPM, the heating time of polymer material is short, which avoids the degradation of the polymer.…”