Evaluation of the Mechanical Parameters of Ultrasonically Welded Textile Composite Structures for Protective Footwear

Abstract

Textile materials are used in protective footwear due to their good mechanical and hygienic properties and to provide thermal insulation. This work presents a technological process of designing ultrasonically welded composite structures characterised by various densities of welding spots. The study involved three variants of composite structures made of three layers. The composite structures developed were tested in terms of mechanical properties and were statistically analysed in terms of the effects of welding spot density and reinforcing nonwoven thickness on the protective parameters. Inserts made of ultrasonically spot-welded textile composite structures may offer protective footwear users greater comfort in terms of mechanical resistance. The evaluation method proposed may be a useful tool in assessing textile composite structure inserts for protective footwear.