TWI Digital Library

Based on a dynamical control-low stress no distortion (DC-LSND) methodology, an array jet impingement heat sink apparatus was designed to facilitate reductions of residual stress and distortion in friction stir welding (FSW), and test results were o…

With regard to the use of friction pull plug welding to close out the termination hole associated with pin tool retraction during friction stir welding of circumferential welds in pressurised cryogenic propellant tanks, an investigation is presented…

A scanning nonlinear acoustic NDT method was employed to detect the presence of kissing bonds in a friction stir welded 2000 series aluminium alloy and experimental results were validated using coupons taken from the scan area and inspected by optic…

A technique was developed to fill the exit hole during the retraction phase of a friction stir welding (FSW) sequence which, by using existing equipment functionality and designing a hollow FSW tool, syringe-type delivery system and pre-loaded alumi…

A mobile friction stir welding (FSW) machine, comprising a self-contained truck with four wheels, was proposed for use when welding large structural members made from aluminium alloys and the concept was verified by welding trials using a prototype …

Dissimilar butt joints were fabricated between two aluminium alloys, 2017A-T451 (Al, 4.14%Cu, 0.72%Mg) and AlSi9Mg (Al, 8.6%Si, 0.31%Mg), by friction stir welding (FSW) using a dual-speed tool and their microstructure and mechanical properties were …

Friction stir welding tool developments to enhance the range of process applications, welding speed and quality are described. The scroll shoulder tool has a shoulder profile which moves surface material towards the probe. It improves surface qualit…

Friction stir welding (FSW) was carried out on A-6N01-T5 aluminium alloy of thickness 15 mm in various restraint conditions, and the amount of deformation before and after welding was investigated. Vertical distortion and lateral shrinkage of the we…

With regard to the application of AA 2219 aluminium alloys to space launch vehicle propellant storage tanks, an investigation is presented into the influence of process parameters (tool rotational speed, shoulder downward force and weld transverse s…

A new "stop action" technique was used to investigate material flow during the friction stir welding of aluminium alloy 6061-T6 plate of thickness 6.4 mm (0.25 in). The technique involved stopping the welding process and examining the microstructure…

The effects of multiple overlapping friction stir weld runs (with 100% overlap) on the welding parameters and weld properties during the repair of high-strength AlCuMgZn alloy were investigated. Square butt welds were made in 7050-T7451 alloy (Al, 6…

Two initiatives are presented to develop friction stir welding (FSW) and friction stir spot welding (FSSW) design data for the aerospace industry: a path independence initiative for FSW butt joints and qualification of FSSW welds for lap joints as i…

Control equipment for the friction stir welding process was developed and evaluated for the production of a 8.4 m (27.5 ft) diameter, 0.32 in (8.13 mm) wall thickness 2195-T8 aluminium alloy space vehicle external fuel tank. The use of a computer-ba…

An investigation was carried out in order to examine the feasibility of producing friction stir welded FSW T-joints using the corner fillet geometry. A specific tool comprising a rotating pin (made of MP159) with a 45 degree inclination to the two p…

Artificial intelligence (Al) and machine learning (ML) are major drivers for improving quality of manufacturing process including Friction Stir welding. The specific parameter that has 100% effect on the quality of FSW has not yet been identified, h…

The feasibility of using friction stir welding (FSW) in the construction of an aircraft central wing box from butt-welded extrusions was evaluated. An FSW procedure for welding 7055 T77511 and 7349 T6511 10 mm thickness extrusions was developed by T…

To overcome the limitations associated with conventional friction stir welding, particularly for complex shaped large structures, the bobbin tool technique was developed and demonstrated on various aluminium alloys (4-15 mm thickness range), the tec…