TWI Digital Library

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were conducted on a variety of materials and grain structure development, material flow characteristics and crystallographic texture formation were examined by high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction.…

Dissimilar joints between an AA 5052 aluminium alloy sheet (thickness 1 mm) and an alumina plate (thickness 10 mm) were fabricated by friction stir spot welding (FSSW) and their microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Welding was…

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were undertaken on pure aluminium (A1050) sheets (thickness 5 mm), and the material flow during welding was visualised in 3D by x-ray radiography using a tiny spherical tungsten tracer. FSW was performed in po…

The electrically assisted friction stir welding (EAFSW) technique, in which an electric current is fed through the workpiece to soften the metal by means of ohmic heating, is described and some trial experimental results are reported. The initial EA…

A numerical model based on the finite element method and axisymmetric thermo-elastic-plastic analysis was developed to describe the refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) process and to predict the temperature distribution in welded joints as a f…

The development of friction stir welding (FSW) technology for the Ariane 5 ME heavy launch vehicle project is illustrated with respect to the superior material properties of FSW within the parameter development and the manufacturing of circumferenti…

A review is presented of the development of W, 25%Re friction stir welding (FSW) tool materials for application to steels and hard metals, such as titanium and nickel-based superalloys. Issues discussed include: the DUST (dual use science and techno…

With regard to the application of wear resistant surface layers on chosen substrates, an investigation is presented into the deposition of cermet (WC, 10%Co, 4%Cr or Cr3C2-NiCr) and oxide (Al2O3) coatings onto AA 5083 aluminium alloy substrates by c…

The microstructure, particle refinement and homogeneity of distribution of the refined particles during the friction stir processing (FSP) of AlSi alloys were investigated. A commercial hypo-eutectic LM24/A380 Al-8.9%Si gravity die cast alloy (26 mm…

3D fully-coupled thermomechanical models implemented in the ABAQUS finite element code were developed to investigate residual stresses and distortion in friction stir welding (FSW) and three case studies were examined. The temperature field obtained…

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were conducted on commercially pure titanium sheet (thickness 3 mm) to identify the optimum tool material and process conditions; the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints were determin…

A thermomechanical finite element model of the friction stir welding process, which considered temperature distributions in the workpiece and tool loadings, was developed and validated by comparing the model simulations with experimental data for th…

A discussion is presented on the industrial use of the friction stir welding (FSW) process looking at cost issues and technological developments. The cost implications of introducing FSW into production areas and the calculation of returns on invest…

The SCIENZE (Supply Chain Innovation Engineering for Net Zero) Project aims to create a UK based supply chain that is capable of manufacturing the next generation of power electronic components at volumes higher than is currently feasible to do toda…

With regard to the capability of ultrasonic vibration enhanced friction stir welding (UVeFSW) to improve weld formation quality as well as the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints, experiments were undertaken to clarify the …

The weldability of magnesium alloys by friction stir welding was studied using three die-cast alloys of thickness 6 mm (AM50 and AM60 Mg-Al-Mn alloys; AZ91 Mg-Al-Zn alloy) and one wrought alloy of thickness 6.4 mm (AZ231 Mg-Al-Zn alloy). Surface app…

The Skew-Stir™ variant of friction stir welding (FSW), in which the axis of the tool is at an angle to that of the machine spindle, is described. The technique provides an improved path for metal to flow around the tool during welding, resulti…

A fully coupled thermomechanical formulation was proposed for the numerical modelling of friction stir welding (FSW) to facilitate the efficient simulation of different types of material flows and accurate computation of the resulting thermomechanic…

Welded joints were fabricated in AZ31 magnesium alloy (Mg, 3.01%Al, 0.9%Zn, 0.5%Mn) sheets (thickness 2 mm) by bobbin tool friction stir welding (BTFSW) and the influence of process parameters (rotational and welding speeds) on their microstructure …

The feasibility of friction stir welding (FSW) for welding aluminium alloy 7020, used for the construction of light armoured fighting vehicles, was investigated and compared with MIG welding. Two joint configurations were tested: butt welding in 100…