The present study concerns the micro-pattern replication on thermoplastic polymer using ultrasonic imprinting. The ultrasonic imprinting process uses ultrasonic vibration energy to generate frictional heat between an ultrasonic horn and the polymer fi...
The present study concerns the micro-pattern replication on thermoplastic polymer using ultrasonic imprinting. The ultrasonic imprinting process uses ultrasonic vibration energy to generate frictional heat between an ultrasonic horn and the polymer film, from which the surface region of the polymer film is softened sufficiently for the replication of micro-patterns. Various applications of the ultrasonic imprinting are introduced in terms of the ways to improve replication characteristics. Firstly, the effects of tool design parameters as well as experimental conditions are discussed. The effect of the vibration transmission direction on the replication ratio is also investigated.