TWI Digital Library

Based on lessons learned from the MegaStir research programme devoted to friction stir welding (FSW) of high temperature alloys and with the aim of producing high quality, defect free welded joints while maximising tool life, a report is presented i…

Different aluminium alloys were joined by friction stir welding (EN AW-5754-H14 to sheets of the same material, extruded profile EN AW-6063-T6 sheets to high pressure die cast EN AC-46000) and characterised by x-ray and microscopy studies, and the m…

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…

Friction stir welding (FSW) has been used to weld aluminum alloys such as 7075 to 7075, which is considered not weldable by most other methods. In this application FSW was used to join two dissimilar aluminum alloys 7075 and 6N pure copper in a lap …

Friction stir welding experiments were undertaken on thin sheet specimens (thickness 0.8 mm) of 5754-H111 alloys (Al, 2.7%Mg) in a butt joint configuration, and the influence of process conditions on microstructural, mechanical and corrosion propert…

An extensive study of friction stir welding (FSW) of HSLA-65 steel plate (thickness 6 mm) was undertaken, incorporating defect-free friction stir butt welding at a travel speed of 3.4 mm/s, the achievement of low/no distortion FSW by employing appro…

An experimental study was carried out to characterise the types of defect which may occur in friction stir welding (FSW) when operating outside the standard processing window and to determine the causes of these defects. Friction stir welds were mad…

Results are presented from tests carried out to determine the mechanical and corrosion properties of friction stir welds in sheets of thickness 4 mm of two aerospace aluminium alloys AA-6056 and AA-6013. The specimens included alloys in the T6 condi…

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…

An investigation was undertaken to determine the strength and fracture toughness of joints fabricated by friction stir welding (FSW) in commercial X65 (0.07%C, 1.56%Mn, 0.06%Nb, 0.013%Ti) and X80 (0.05%C, 1.52%Mn, 0.26%Cr, 0.26%Cu, 0.1%Nb and 0.07%C…

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate friction stir processing (FSP) as a repair technique for AA 7075-T6 aluminium alloys and to examine the mechanical and fatigue performance of the repaired joints for applications such as repair of MIG and …

An experimental investigation was conducted to examine weldability, material thickness, welding speed and joint geometry aspects of robotic friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminium alloy aircraft structures. An ABB IRB7600-500 serial design robot wa…

Weld initiation experiments were undertaken on various Al-Mg(-Si) alloy extrusions to develop fixed-gap bobbin tool designs and process procedures to facilitate friction stir welding (FSW) of sheet specimens as thin as 3 mm. The alloy grades studied…

Friction stir welding (FSW) was employed to weld Mo and Ti sheets (thickness 1.5 and 2 mm, respectively), the effects of process conditions on weldability as well as mechanical properties and microstructure of joints was investigated, and the import…

Friction stir welding (FSW) of 2219-T6 aluminium alloys (Al, 6.48%Cu) was undertaken with the assistance of micro-plasma arc preheating, and welding efficiency as well as joint microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Longitudinal…

Friction stir welding (FSW) was employed to join partially recrystallised AA 5052 (Al, 2.3%Mg) sheet specimens (thickness 5 mm) and the relationship between microstructural development, mechanical properties and process parameters was investigated. …

The feasibility of friction stir welding (FSW) HSLA-65 steel (0.10%C, 1.4%Mn), which is being considered by the US Navy for ship structural applications, was assessed. Single-pass FSW was performed on 6.4 mm (0.25 in) plates and two-pass FSW was per…

With regard to the dependence of welded joint properties on tool probe shape during friction stir welding (FSW) of dissimilar butt joints between aluminium and steel, an investigation was undertaken into the interface formation mechanism by conducti…

A short review is presented of the development of a friction stir welding process for steel and other hard metals using W-Re tool materials to produce repeatable, thick-section welds with minimal tool deformation. Issues discussed include: W, 25%Re …

Following a summary of the current applications for friction stir welding at Boeing, the Brotje Automation FSW system is introduced. Presentation slides give notes on complex contour FSW in a large work envelope, the characteristics of a robust prod…