Experimental investigation on flexural behavior of friction stir welded high density polyethylene sheets

Flexural strength is one of the main criteria in evaluation of the mechanical properties of polymeric joints. The flexural strength of thermoplastics, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets, is influenced by friction stir welding parameters. The determination of the welding parameters plays an important role in the weld strength. In the present study, the response surface method (RSM) was used as a statistical design of experiment technique to set the optimal welding parameters. The designed tool was consisted of a rotating pin, a stationary shoulder (shoe) and a heating system inside shoe. Rotational speed of the pin, tool traverse speed and shoe temperature were considered as varying parameters. Obtained results show a significant relationship between considered properties and processing parameters through an analysis of variance (ANOVA) study and the response surface method. It was found that welding at a high level of rotational speed and a lower level of tool travel speed increases weld flexural strength by reducing size of defects.