Abstract
The microstructure of solvent-welding of PMMA has been investigated. The morphologies of shear, tensile, tear and cleavage fracture surfaces are observed. Effects of solubility parameter, elevated temperature, and cosolvent on the mechanical strength are studied. The solvents used are methanol, ethanol and DMF. The feature sizes of shear, tensile and tear fracture surfaces and the angle of the cleavage curve at the interface of PMMA can be employed to determine the mechanical strength qualitatively. Constituents of shear, tensile and tear fracture surfaces are tongues, long and narrow hackles, and equiaxed hackles, respectively. PMMA treated at high temperature showed enhanced mechanical strength. PMMA treated with 95% by volume ethanol yielded the best quality of adhesion. The solvent affected zone and the residual solvent are also discussed. © 1991, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.