Effect of Process Parameters of Laser Welding on Tensile Strength of PP/EPDM/Clay Nanocomposite Welds Using Response Surface Methodology

Polypropylene/ ethylene–propylene-diene monomer/ Nanoclay (PP/EPDM/ Nanoclay) nanocomposite with different loadings of clay content is used in many industries because of balance on the tensile and impact strengths. Laser welding, as a fabrication method, is applied to the butt-welding of these nanocomposites. The input parameters (clay content, laser power, scan velocity, and stand-off-distance) were varied to achieve the best responses (tensile strength of welds). Response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to relate the input parameters and the response. The effects of all input parameters on the responses were investigated. Results demonstrated that increasing the clay content from 0 to 6 wt% and increasing stand-off-distance from 5 to 8 mm decreased the tensile strength from 9.6 MPa to 6.1 MPa and 9.19 MPa to 8.36 MPa, respectively. The models showed that laser power of 100 W, traverse speed of 400–750 mm min21, and stand-off-distance of 5 – 6.5 mm, led to weld strength from 8 to 9.9 MPa.