The overseas small ship market is witnessing a trend towards research aimed at substituting Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP), which poses environmental concerns, with High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in the shipbuilding process. Given the low melting point and high coefficient of thermal expansion of HDPE, research on joint areas is essential. This study focuses on preliminary investigations into ensuring the integrity of joints in shipbuilding processes using HDPE materials. Utilizing the Hot Gas Extrusion Welding method, which is conducive to joining large structures such as ships, HDPE joints were conducted. The material properties were evaluated based on the ASTM D638-14 international standards. This research aims to provide fundamental knowledge on the joining process of HDPE through Hot Gas Extrusion Welding and offers guidance on ensuring the integrity of joints in shipbuilding.

• 이충우(Korea Institute of Industrial Technology) | Chung-Woo Lee
• 우수성(Korea Institute of Industrial Technology) | Su-Seong Woo
• 김지선(Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Senior Researcher) | Ji-sun Kim Corresponding author