Parametric Optimization of Butt Welded Polycarbonate using Response Surface Methodology

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining process for metals, non-metals and polymers. It carried out with the help of specially designed, non-consumable tool. The heat required, creating softened region at faying surfaces, generated by rotation tool against work piece material. Being welding process, it offers several advantages like inducing minimum effect on mechanical properties base material, reduced shrinkage distortion, no spatter or Ultra Violet (UV) radiations etc. However, developing sound weld requires an appropriate combination parameters e.g. design tool, its rotational traversing speeds To substantiate this aspect, approach based Response Surface Methodology (RSM) presented during paper that optimizes while investigating their friction stir welded butt joint configuration Polycarbonate. minimize total number combinations Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) used three factors two levels. results have shown joints fabricated traverse speed 14 mm/min, 1700 RPM simple cylindrical conical geometry yielded maximum ultimate tensile strength 51.299 MPa.