TWI

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were undertaken on AA 6061-T6 aluminium alloys to investigate the effects of liquid cooling of tooling on spindle speed, spindle torque, spindle power, forge force, and the amount of material plastically defor…

The friction stir spot welding of automotive aluminium alloy and Zn-coated steel was investigated. Welds were made in 6000 series AlMgSi alloys (1.2 mm thickness) and galvanised steel (1.1 mm thickness) using a multi-step friction stir spot process.…

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were undertaken to investigate the feasibility of joining a metal matrix composite (MMC), comprising an AA 2124 matrix and 25 vol.% SiC particles, to itself and to a monolithic alloy (AA 2024-T3), and the micr…

Friction stir welding (FSW) was employed to fabricate a single overlap joint between sheet specimens (thickness 1.5 mm) of an AA 6181-T4 aluminium alloy and ZStE-340 high-strength steel, and weld phase composition, microstructure and mechanical prop…

The deformation behaviour and microstructural evolution of friction stir processed Zn, 22%Al rolled sheet (thickness 3 mm) were compared with those of the corresponding superplastic alloy. Friction stir processing was performed at a rotational speed…

Following a description of the swept FSW spot welding process, experimental work on welding conditions is presented. A design of experiments (DOE) approach was employed to examine the effect of process parameters on unguided lap shear tensile streng…

With regard to the occurrence of coarse alpha-Al dendrites, eutectic phase, shrinkage porosity and other defects in cast aluminium alloys, an investigation was undertaken into the influence of different combinations of friction stir processing (FSP)…

With regard to the development of friction stir shaping as a modified friction stir welding (FSW) process to maximise material flow within the weld zone and redistribute it into new shapes or features outside of or on top of the weld zone, an invest…

In order to study the relationship between material flow and the development of highly variant process forces during friction stir welding (FSW), a high sampling rate triaxial force measurement device and a high speed camera were employed to monitor…

6061-T6 aluminium alloy (Al, 0.96%Mg, 0.59%Si) sheets (thickness 1 mm) were joined by friction stir spot welding (FSSW) under low rotational speed conditions and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints were investigated. FS…

Lap joints were fabricated in AA 7075-T6 aluminium alloy sheets (thickness 2 mm) using an ESAB "Rosio" friction stir welding (FSW) robot and the effect tool of side-tilt angle on welded joint tensile strength was investigated. A "CounterStir" FSW to…

An investigation is presented into the development of the stationary shoulder self-reacting pin tool (SSSRPT) as a friction stir welding variant and the application of the tool to fabrication of butt joints in sheets (thickness 4 mm) of A6N01 alloys…

A friction stir welding technology was developed to facilitate welding extruded profiles together as a whole side wall in an aluminium railway wagon for coal transportation. The material employed was an AA 6061-T6 alloy plate (thickness 7 mm). Some …

An investigation is presented into tool material development of large polycrystalline cubic BN blanks to facilitate friction stir welding of thick section steel specimens (thickness 9.5 or 20 mm). Tool materials were produced from 90% polycrystallin…

Friction stir welding experiments between AA 6063 aluminium alloy and S45C carbon steel (thickness 6 mm) were performed, and the effects of heat input on the butt joint macrostructure (cavities formed at weld interface), hardness and plastic flow of…

A refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) process with a short welding cycle time was employed to fabricate welded joints in thin gauge AA 6111-T4 aluminium alloy sheets (thickness 0.9 mm) and the mechanical properties of the joints were investiga…

An apparatus was developed to analyse the contact condition between the rotating tool and the workpiece during friction stir welding, and empirical tests were performed to determine the friction conditions (static, dynamic and the transition from on…

An investigation is presented into the effect of a paint bake cycle on the performance of friction stir spot welded (FSSW) joints fabricated in heat-treatable 6111-T4 aluminium alloy automotive sheets (thickness 0.93 mm) using a pinless tool and sho…

An ultrasound assisted friction stir welding (UA-FSW) technique was employed to fabricate butt joints in similar Al/Al and dissimilar Al/Mg sheets, and the influence of ultrasonic oscillations on weld zone microstructure and mechanical properties wa…

Dissimilar welded joints between AW 6061-T6 aluminium alloy (Al, 0.93%Mg, 0.59%Si, 0.5%Fe) and AZ31B-H24 magnesium alloy (Mg, 2.55%Al, 0.79%Zn) were fabricated by friction stir welding and the influence of process parameters on their microstructure …