Improving friction stir spot welding of high-density polyethylene sheets for welding parameters and its optimization

Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) is a promising technique for joining thermoplastic materials, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE). However, there needs to be more understanding regarding the effect of welding parameters on the weld temperature of FSSW joints in HDPE. The Taguchi method is used for a FSSW of HDPE sheets in the present work. The welding parameters examined in the study include the tool number, speed, plunge depth, and dwell time. The effect of friction stir spot welding (FSSW) parameters on weld temperature was investigated using signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), an orthogonal array, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The S/N ratio response graphs and ANOVA were used to discover the significant parameters and optimal welding parameter combination. The most important welding parameter affecting the weld pool’s temperature is the tool's rotational speed, followed by dwell period. The tool rotation speed of 1400 revolutions per minute, tool penetration depth of 6.8 mm and dwell duration of 60 s are the optimal welding parameters for the temperature of weld pool. This investigation offers valuable perspectives on the FSSW process of HDPE. It can serve as a reference for determining optimal welding parameters in various industrial settings.