Review of Friction Stir Welding Process of Polymers

As one of some important manufacturing processes, weldingWelding can be classified as several methods, one is friction stir weldingWelding (FSW). Besides being used on metals, FSW can also be applied to non-metallic materials, such as polymersPolymer, due to rapid developments in polymerPolymer and weldingWelding technology. PolymerPolymer joining is difficult to do using conventional weldingWelding but can be done using the FSW process. This review will present the influence of technological developments and weldingWelding parameters in the FSW process of polymeric materials, especially PE and PP. Tool rotational speed to weldingWelding speed ratio (w/v), tilt angle and pin geometryGeometry are common weldingWelding parameters used in FSW. Double-side FSW (double-side passage of the tools), FSW with stationary shoulder tool, FSW of preheated polymerPolymer, FSW with a heated tool, and FSW with the tool of heated stationary shoulder are some new techniques developed for FSW of polymersPolymer. From the studies done on PE and PP weldingWelding, adding an external heater and tools with stationary shoulders could reduce defects, improve the surface finish of the polymersPolymer and enhance the mechanical properties of the joints. The increased w/v ration enhanced the joint efficiency of PE.