TWI

An investigation is presented into the influence of friction stir welding (FSW) process parameters (tool rotation speed and feed rate) on the mechanical properties and microstructure of welded joints of AA2095 (Al, 4.6%Cu, 1.14%Li) in as-welded and …

A description is presented of the process flow of a production job based on friction stir welding (FSW) for the serial production of aluminium drying trays for the food industry. FSW joint quality issues (joint impermeability, weld surface quality a…

Technology improvements and process innovations in respect of friction stir welding (FSW) of high temperature materials are reviewed, welding process conditions and mechanical properties of completed welds for various alloys using polycrystalline cu…

An experimental study was carried out to investigate friction stir welded lap joints in AA-6082 aluminium alloy sheets in order to determine methods to improve weld quality; the experiments were performed using two different types of probe, the MX-T…

The use of friction stir processing (FSP), a process derived from friction stir welding, to tailor a material's microstructure locally to achieve maximum performance was investigated. Superplastic behaviour was examined in friction stir processed 5 …

The mechanical properties and microstructures of dissimilar butt welds made between aluminium die casting alloy ADC1 (Al, 11.9%Si, 0.37%Fe, 0.44%Mg) and the extruded alloy A-6061-T6 (Al, 0.84%Mg, 0.67%Si) were studied. The materials were 4 mm thick …

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the effect of welding conditions on weld macrostructure and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the nugget zone in welds in AA-7010 aluminium alloy made by friction stir welding (FSW).…

The surface and near-surface residual stress distributions of friction stir welds in three different aluminium alloys were measured using an x-ray diffraction technique. Welds in very low alkali and hydrogen content Al-Li alloy C458 (Al, 1.73%Li, 2.…

Welding trials are reported to demonstrate joint formation between S45C mild steel and aluminium alloy 6063 using a friction stir diffusion process. Welding experiments were undertaken using a machining centre with a cemented carbide rotating tool, …

The effects of post weld heat treatments on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of friction stir welded dissimilar aluminium alloy joints (2024/6056) were studied. Sheets of 4 mm thickness were first joined in heat treatments T3 for 2…

A direct modelling approach ("SAMCEF" software finite element simulation) coupled with an inverse model, based on genetic algorithm optimisation (MAX software), was applied to the friction stir welding (FSW) process for two aluminium alloys (6005A-T…

Thermomechanical and microstructural modelling were performed for the friction stir welding process, simulating the thermal diffusion during and after welding (in the cooling stage), and comparing the results with experimental data obtained for fric…

The paper comprises copies of the presentation slides which describe the development of welding experiments and equipment to provide experimental data to validate process models of the friction stir welding process. Data obtained include tool parame…

The relationship between microstructure and hardness was investigated in friction stir welded aluminium alloy 6063-T5. The alloy thickness was 6 mm. Hardness profiles were measured across the stir zone. The microstructure of the as-welded and postwe…

The feasibility of joining layers of dissimilar metals (aluminium and steel) by friction stir welding (FSW) was investigated. Aluminium (A-1050-O) was placed above steel (JIS S50C carbon steel). The tool revolution was 3000 rpm and the tool feed rat…

The development of orbital friction stir welding (FSW) technology for joining aluminium pipes for gas insulated power transmission lines (GIL) is described. The equipment is outlined: hydraulic unit, control panel, FSW head with steel wire rope and …

The influence of the process parameters on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion of friction stir welded aluminium alloy 2024-T3 was investigated. Sheets of 1.6 and 4 mm thickness were welded using rotational speeds of 800-2400 rpm…

An investigation was undertaken into the development and wear performance of friction stir welding (FSW) tools made from precipitation strengthened Ir-containing nickel-based superalloys (Ni, 25%Ir, 14%W, 4%Al) during FSW of Ti, 6%Al, 4%V alloys. Th…

A report is presented into the challenges faced when developing thermal, thermomechanical and flow models of the friction stir welding process, such as the evolution of predictive models, a method to find the correct contact state variable, and the …

A control concept for friction stir welding (FSW) of structural steels was developed based on a closed loop architecture that limits the heat input during the welding process according to the continuously monitored value of the magnetic permeability…