TWI

A high rotational speed friction stir welding (FSW) procedure based on the use of a fixed shoulder tool was developed to facilitate the production of strong metallurgical joints at comparatively low process forces, and microstructural observations and mechanical property measurements were undertaken for welded joints of various aluminium alloys. Results were obtained from both low and high rotation speed FSW with the fixed shoulder pin tool for 2024-T3, 7075-T73 and 6061-T4 alloys. Issues discussed include force data at various spindle speeds, secondary induced stir zone development, tensile properties of 6061-T4 joints, weld track surface roughness, grain size in the weld nugget, centreline weld microhardness, weld porosity and wormhole suppression.

6th International Symposium, 10-13 Oct 2006, Session 8B: FSW Tools II, Paper 01