Study on the effects of tool tile angle, offset and plunge depth on friction stir welding of poly(methyl methacrylate) T-joint

Abstract

The effects of tilt angle (TTA), plunge depth (TPD) and offset (TO) of tool in friction stir welding of poly(methyl methacrylate) T-joint were investigated. To understand better the effects of process parameter, thermomechanical simulation of joint was assessed. The results seem to show that at higher TPD and TTA, frictional heat increases. Woven tissue structure joint line forms after friction stir welding of poly(methyl methacrylate) sheets. The distance of woven layers was affected by TPD and TTA, while TO do not significantly affect heat generation of joint. The best material flow and adequate heat are generated at 0 mm TA, 2° TTA and 0.2 mm TPD, respectively. The highest flexural and tensile strength of friction stir welded joint were approximately 93% and 90% of as-received poly(methyl methacrylate), respectively. Crack forking was detected on the fractured surface of flexural samples and crack path was detected in the vicinity of shrinkage holes at fracture surface of tensile samples. These holes and degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) during friction stir welding process decrease strength and hardness of the joint.