The V-notch at weld lines in polystyrene injection moldings

A major factor that weakens the weld line in injection moldings is the V-notch structure. Though the existence of a V-notch is well known, its depth variation with molding conditions has not been detailed. The aim of this paper is to clarify the V-notch structure and its effect on the strength of general purpose polystyrene injection moldings. A dog bone type tensile specimen with a weld line was molded under several molding conditions. The surface of the weld line was partially eliminated by cutting with a milling machine to seven levels of cut depth (D_c). As a result, the weld strength increased with D_c to about 50%. The relationship between the weld strength and D_c made it possible to determine the V-notch depth, which vas defined as the “depth of the weld line.” From these results, a hypothesis is proposed that the V-notch has a structure with a fine groove on the surface and a poorly bonded inner layer. This study considered the relationships among the weld strength, the depth of the weld line, and molding conditions.