TWI

In the last fifteen years, friction stir welding has developed from a laboratory curiosity to an important fabrication technique for lightweight, lower softening temperature alloys. Industrial implementation of joining magnesium has been limited almost exclusively to thin section cast materials. A recent development programme at TWI has shown that using double-sided friction stir welding, joints of up to 75mm thickness can be made in magnesium alloy rolled plate, grade AZ31. This is the first time welds have been made in such thicknesses. This technology is now being used to fabricate flaw-free welds in thick section plate at low cost, with excellent mechanical properties and minimal distortion.

8th International Symposium, 18-20 May 2010, Poster Session, Paper 09