Assessing Mechanical Properties and Their Impact on Friction Stir Welding of Polypropylene with H13 Tool Steel: A Statistical Approach

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJME Journal

Volume 12 Issue 1

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : V. Jaipal Reddy, A. Rajasekhar, A. Krishnaiah

10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I1P107

How to Cite?

V. Jaipal Reddy, A. Rajasekhar, A. Krishnaiah, "Assessing Mechanical Properties and Their Impact on Friction Stir Welding of Polypropylene with H13 Tool Steel: A Statistical Approach," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 1, pp. 59-67, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I1P107

Abstract:

The present research is focused on the weldability and independent variables optimization of polypropylene friction stir fabricated joints. In this study, rotating spindle speed, transverse speed rate, and tool tilted angle are the independent variables at 3 levels that are chosen. Experiments are performed as per the L9 orthogonal array. The mechanical behavior, like hardness, elastic limit, UTS, and ductility of fabricated joints, are tested as per ASTM D638-10 TYPE IV standards. Statistical analysis using Minitab software has been done to analyze the interaction between independent variables, to know the more influential variable, to sequence the influencing variables, and to optimize the independent variables. It was observed that the polypropylene is successfully fabricated using friction stir welding. Interaction graph results reveal that all three variables are combined, influencing the quality of fabricated joints, not independently. It was observed that the tool-tilted angle is the most influential variable for UTS but the least influential variable for hardness. Also observed is that rotating spindle speed is the most influential variable for the hardness of a fabricated joint, and transverse speed rate is the least influential variable for the UTS of fabricated joints. 900 revolutions per minute. Rotating spindle speed, 40 mm per minute transverse speed rate, and 0.5° tool tilted angle are the optimized independent variables of fabricated joint hardness. 1100 revolutions per minute. Rotating spindle speed, 40 mm per minute transverse speed rate, and 0° tool tilted angle are the optimized independent variables of fabricated joints UTS.710 revolutions per minute rotating spindle speed, 40 mm per minute transverse speed rate, and 0° tool tilted angle are the optimized independent variables of fabricated joints percentage elongation.

Keywords:

Friction stir welding, H13 tool steel, Main effect graphs, Interaction graphs, Mechanical properties, Tool rotating spindle speed, Transverse speed, and Tool tilted angle.

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