TWI Digital Library

The use of friction stir welding in aircraft manufacture, particularly the Airbus, both as an alternative to riveting and for the production of tailored blanks, is discussed. Potential benefits include cost and weight reduction. The European aircraf…

Friction stir welding developments, equipment, and applications for the joining of aluminium alloys, particularly for automotive applications, are reviewed. Body in white automotive applications include aluminium alloy tailor welded blanks and the m…

Stress corrosion cracking in friction stir welded aluminium alloy joints was investigated using two alternative techniques. Aluminium alloy 7050-T7541 (Al, 5.7-6.7%Zn, 2.0-2.6%Cu, 1.9-2.6%Mg, 0.15%Fe, 0.12%Si) plate of 6.35 mm (0.25 in) thickness wa…

In relation to the application of ferritic/martensitic steels as cladding and duct materials in advanced nuclear reactors, an investigation is presented into the friction stir welding of P91 high alloy steel (0.11%C, 0.45%Mn, 8.41%Cr, 0.96%Mo) plate…

A techno-economic assessment study was undertaken with respect to the feasibility of the friction stir welding (FSW) technique for microalloyed DH36 grade shipbuilding steel (0.11%C, 1.48%Mn, 0.02%Nb, 0.02%Al) plates (thickness 6 mm). Single sided f…

The optimal conditions for the friction stir welding of high-N-containing austenitic stainless steel were evaluated. The influence of heat input (welding speed (50-400 mm/min)) on the surface appearance, macrostructure, microstructure, hardness, yie…

Numerical modelling and experimental measurements were undertaken to investigate the extension and microstructure of the HAZ during friction stir welding (FSW) of 7075 aluminium alloy (Al, 5.86%Zn, 2.37%Mg, 1.91%Cu) thin sheets (thickness 1.2 mm). W…

Process force and discontinuity models were derived to estimate the forces observed in friction stir welding (FSW) in order to develop a method of detecting discontinuities during FSW using physics-based process modelling. FSW welded joints with and…

Single run friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were undertaken on plate specimens (thickness 6 mm) of 7A60-T6 aluminium alloys (Al, 8.89%Zn, 2.74%Mg, 2.26%Cu) and the relationship between process parameters, microstructure and mechanical propert…

A comparative investigation was undertaken of MIG and friction stir welding of AW 6082-T6 alloys (Al, 0.63%Mg, 0.84%Si, 0.71%Mn) for marine applications such as structural panels in pontoons, and the welded joint microstructure and mechanical proper…

A review of an experimental study of friction stir welded (FSW) 5456-H1 16 aluminium plate of 19 mm thickness, is presented and the formation of a pre-rotation defect and its effect on the mechanical properties of welds is discussed. Welds were made…

FSSW has been performed in two different automotive 1.5 mm-thick aluminium alloys– AA5754-H22 and AA6082-T6 in similar and dissimilar combination using different joining parameters (e.g. plunge rate, rotational speed and dwell time). Plunge depth ha…

WC, 12%Co cemented carbide layers were deposited onto M2 tool steel (0.8-0.88%C, 3.8-4.5%Cr, 4.7-5.2%Mo, 5.9-6.7%W, 1.7-2.1%V) substrates by HVOF spraying and the effect of subsequent friction stir processing (FSP) on bonding strength and cermet coa…

Friction stir welding (FSW) was employed to fabricate overlap joints in thin AA 7075-T6 aluminium alloy (Al, 5.1-6.1%Zn, 2.1-2.9%Mg, 1.2-2%Cu) sheets (thickness 0.8 mm) coated with an anticorrosive aluminium layer and the microstructure and mechanic…

A temperature monitoring system incorporating thermocouples mounted in the probe and shoulder was employed to measure the temperature of the rotating tool during the fabrication of dissimilar butt joints between A6005C aluminium alloy (Al, 0.5%Mg, 0…

The effects of friction stir welding (FSW) tool geometry on material flow during the welding of 4 mm aluminium alloys 2024-T51 and 6056-T4 were investigated. Welds were made using three different welding tool pins (conical non-threaded profile, coni…

The relationship between microstructure and properties in friction stir welding was studied. The effects of grain size, particle size and distribution, and dislocation density on weld strength in friction stir welds in work-hardenable Al alloy AA 52…

The mechanical properties and microstructures of friction stir butt welds in 6.4 mm and 12.7 mm thickness quenched and tempered martensitic steel plate were compared with those of GMA butt welds in the same parent metal. The friction stir welds in t…

A description is presented of the self reacting friction stir welding (SR-FSW) process and the specially designed welding head; results are reported from tests determining the mechanical properties of SR-FSW welds in AA-2219 and AA-2195 aluminium al…

The use of friction stir welding, as an alternative to bolted or riveted joints, for the assembly of Airbus wings is discussed. Issues considered include: cost reduction, weight reduction, joint quality, and enhanced in-service performance. Potentia…