TWI Digital Library

The friction stir disc welding (FSDW) process was developed to facilitate the production of high quality root welds, and the joint formation mechanism and the influence of tool rotation direction on joint properties were investigated. The FSDW set-up incorporated a rotating disc-shaped tool plunged into workpieces fitted-up and fixed on the bedplate. To obtain the full-size joint throughout the length of welded workpieces, the groove was filled by adding material in the form of a T-section, strip or plate, and a second welding run was performed by an arc or friction stir welding process. Bead on plate experiments were undertaken to study the rotation direction effect on joint formation. The microstructures of HAZ and thermomechanically affected zones are discussed.

9th International Symposium, 15-17 May 2012, Poster Session, Paper 05