Study of the interface behaviour between MABS/TPU bi-layer structures obtained through over moulding

The strength of adhesion between two over-moulded polymers, methylmethacrylate–butadiene–styrene copolymer (MABS) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that constitute a bi-component laminar system has been the subject of study. Results showed that at the bi-layer interface the adhesive fracture toughness increases as temperature and surface roughness are increased. Roughness has been demonstrated to be the most important parameter defining adhesion strength and failure. With the increase of roughness the failure was observed to change from adhesive towards cohesive type. An increase in either the temperature or the pressure applied to the samples caused a rise in adhesion energy. However, pressure seemed to have a minor effect in comparison to temperature. Significant increments in adhesion were obtained after applying the corona discharge treatment (CDT) to the attaching surfaces resulting in adhesion strengths almost double those of non-treated systems.