The Effects of Critical Welding Parameters on Tensile-Shear Properties of Friction Stir Spot Welded Polyethylene

The aim of this study was to investigate the weldability of high density polyethylene via friction stir spot welding method. polyethylene sheets were joined with dwell times of 60 to 100 s, three different pin profiles (m6×1, m6×1.25, m6×1.5) and pin lengths of 3.75 to 4.75 mm by using rotational speed of 900 rpm and delay time of 45 s. during welding processes, the temperatures were measured under the welding centers. the tensile-shear tests were performed to welded samples. also, macrostructures of welding nuggets were examined. the small welding nuggets were formed by using the lower dwell time. the melting in welding nugget occurred in the all dwell times during the welding. the dwell time affected on the friction temperature. the key (pin) hole closed when sufficient friction temperature (dwell times of 80 and 100 s). the pin profiles directly affected the welding quality. large screw pitch range of the pin and the small pin length from 4.5 mm negatively affected the weld fracture load. pin length of the stirring tool directly affected the quality of welding.