TWI

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the separation forces exerted by the tool on the fixture compared to the weld process loads generated during butt welding of self reacting bobbin friction stir welds. Two tempers of an aluminium alloy were joined using self-reacting FSW (friction stir welding) and run under force control. Experiments were conducted to determine the forces exerted on the fixture at five points across a fixture normal to the welding path and to monitor changes in loads as the tool passed each force measurement location. The fixture forces were compared with process loads for different aluminium alloy butt joints. The effects of preloading (890-2670 N), vertical clamping and end of weld separation were studied. The minimum clamping necessary to hold production parts during FSW was established.

11th International Symposium, 17-19 May 2016, Session 5A: Techniques I, Paper 01