TWI

A friction stir welding (FSW) procedure using a W-Re alloy tool, magnetic welding fixture and a high-speed steel backing bar was developed for application to precipitation-hardened martensitic stainless steel (13.7%Cr, 7.1%Ni) thin sheet (thickness 0.8 mm), and the mechanical properties of the welded joints were studied. The welding fixture was built from a magnetic machining table and a separate backing bar was embedded in a groove machined to the table centreline. Weld shape and angular distortion were measured. Mechanical properties were characterised by hardness profiles, transverse tensile and fatigue strengths in the as-welded condition and after PWHT. The results were compared with those obtained using a TIG welding process.

6th International Symposium, 10-13 Oct 2006, Session 2A: FSW of High Temperature Alloys, Paper 03