Fuzzy logic model analysis of shear force in aluminium / polyethylene lap joined by hot press

Abstract

Fuzzy logic is an optimization technique used to predict the behaviour of any problem. Polyethylene (PE) sheet of thickness 3 mm was joined by means of hot press method with aluminium (Al) of thickness 1mm using lap join type. The inside surface of aluminium in the lap joint region was anodized to increase the size of surface pores and mechanical interlock between the melted polymers in the pores of anodized surface of aluminium. The anodizing process was performed by a solution of 15%wt. sulphuric acid with deionized water. The anodizing current density and time were 200A/m2 and 60 min. respectively. The hot press process parameters were; temperature: 115, 125, 135 and 145 °C, pressure: 2, 4, 6, and 8 bar and the pressing time: 1, 2, 3 and 4 min. The hot press method was successfully joined the anodized Al with PE sheet. Shear tensile test was used to estimate the shear strength of lap join. These data are optimized using a fuzzy logic concept which gives a good indication about the effect of input process parameters on the shear of joints. Increasing the applied pressure, decreasing the pressing time and increasing the temperature up to 80 °C resulted in increasing the maximum shear force of joint.