Materials Science-Medziagotyra, cilt.27, sa.3, ss.367-372, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)
The variables that are effective in joining high density polyethylene sheets by friction stir welding (FSW) have been
investigated. In order to understand the effects of welding parameters, using Taguchi optimization, tool rotation speed,
feed rate, shoulder diameter and pin diameter values were selected in a wide range. The results obtained with Taguchi
optimization method were evaluated according to the highest / the best signal-noise ratio. Macro photographs taken crosssectional view taken the weld seam, SEM images and hardness measurements were used to evaluate. As a result of the
evaluation, the accuracy of the optimization was found to be approximately 96 %. As a result, feed rate and shoulder
diameter were determined as the most effective parameter affecting the welding quality and welding performance. These
two parameters (shoulder diameter and feed rate) have found to effect of approximately 65 % on tensile strength, weld
quality and hardness. Finally, it has obtained that the most effective welding parameter was the shoulder diameter with
40.81 %.
Keywords: friction stir welding (FSW), shoulder-pin diameter, tensile strength, ANOVA analysis, optimization, welding
of polymer.