Experimental correlation of mechanical properties of joints and transverse vibrations in PMMA beams

An ultrathin joint in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) beam was introduced by joining the two pieces using 1,2-dichloroethane. The viscoelastic property of the interfacial region was varied using dioctylphthalate (DOP) plasticizer and flexural waves in the beam were generated by impacting the beam with a small steel ball as well as with a calibrated experimental impact hammer. The acceleration vs. time data of a given point on a beam were used to optimally separate the wave emanating from the joint and were shown to correlate with the mechanical strength of the joint.