Optimization of Microwave Welding Parameters for Welding of PMMA Substrates Using Graphite Film as a Susceptor

In an expanding variety of applications, particularly for the creation and assembly of biomedical equipment, it is crucial to develop adaptable joining procedures to weld transparent materials. It is possible to understand as well as develop new welding processes with the use of graphite in plastic welding. Locally applied graphite can be placed and patterned to execute the welding process by absorbing microwave radiation and converting it to heat. In this paper, in order to achieve patterned distribution, a graphite patterned film at different wt% of graphite was developed to be used as a susceptor. Graphite film and single-mode microwave technology were used to weld two poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrates. These quickly welded samples were then put through a shear test and shore-D hardness test to measure the joint strength as a function of different processing factors, including heating time, microwave power, applied pressure, and graphite content. A design of experiment using Taguchi L16 orthogonal array was developed using processing factors. The single lap shear joint strength testing method was selected, and samples were produced in accordance with ASTM D 3164-97. Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to obtain the optimized parameters for microwave welding of PMMA substrates using graphite film. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to study the fractured surfaces of the welded joints.