TWI

Friction stir welding (FSW) was applied to the magnesium alloy AZ91 (Mg, 8.21%Al, 0.64%Zn), optimum welding parameters were derived, structural and mechanical properties of the weld zone were determined, and the influence of microstructure on weld p…

The microstructure and age hardening of friction stir welds in aluminium alloy plate 2014A-T651 (Al, 4.42%Cu, 0.79%Si, 0.62%Mg) and 7075-T651 (Al, 5.99%Zn, 2.72%Mg, 1.46%Cu) were investigated. Single sided butt welds were produced, temperatures bein…

A fully coupled thermomechanical three dimensional finite element (FE) model was developed to analyse the thermomechanical conditions, including material flow and heat generation, at the tool/matrix interface in friction stir welding. The model was …

As part of a study investigating FSW as a method for joining the lids on copper canisters for the long term storage of nuclear waste, the development of microstructure and heat flow during the FSW process was experimentally investigated. The microst…

Variations in microstructure in friction stir welds in AA 7449 (Al, 2.2%Mg, 8.2%Zn, 1.7%Cu, 0.12%Si, 0.15%Fe, 0.2%Mn, 0.05%Cr, 0.25 T plus Zr) in the initially overaged (T7) condition were studied. Isothermal heat treatments were conducted at 350 an…

The mechanical properties and microstructures of dissimilar butt welds made between aluminium die casting alloy ADC1 (Al, 11.9%Si, 0.37%Fe, 0.44%Mg) and the extruded alloy A-6061-T6 (Al, 0.84%Mg, 0.67%Si) were studied. The materials were 4 mm thick …

With regard to the development of hybrid friction stir welding-adhesive bonding (FSW-AB) for the fabrication of lap joints, a mesh free coupled thermomechanical simulation of the FSW-AB process was undertaken using the SPHriction-3D code and the num…

The weldability of zirconium-titanium alloy joints fabricated by means of friction stir welding (FSW) was investigated. Sheets (thickness 3 mm) of Zr-Ti alloy (Zr, 41%Ti, 4%Al, 3%V) underwent FSW with a tungsten-rhenium alloy (W, 25%Re) tool with an…

A refill friction stir spot welding technique was employed to fabricate joints in AA 2014 aluminium alloy (Al, 3.51%Cu, 0.7%Mn) sheets (thickness 2 mm) and the effect of tool rotational speed on microstructure and mechanical properties was investiga…

The microstructure of a friction stir weld (of unknown welding parameters) in titanium alloy (Ti, 6%Al, 4%V) is described. The microstructure was studied using optical microscopy, SEM and TEM. The features of the parent material, HAZ and the thermom…

A process model for friction stir welding (FSW) of Al-Zn-Mg alloys, used to predict HAZ microstructure and hardness, is presented. Numerical solutions (using a finite difference approach) are developed for heat generation and heat flow. Microstructu…

Numerical simulations and experimental tests were undertaken to visualise material flow and to study the effect of the flow field on the mixing mechanism and particle break-up in friction stir welding of metal matrix composites. A 3D thermo-fluid mo…

The microstructure and corrosion properties of welded joints in Inconel 22 (Alloy 22 or NO6022) made by friction stir welding (FSW) were investigated. Bead-on-plate welds were produced in Alloy 22 (59.6%Ni, 13.43%Mo, 0.22%Cr, 3.29%W, 3.17%Fe, 0.84%C…

An investigation is presented into a methodology for simulating the entire friction stir welding (FSW) process using a hybrid mesh free method on a graphics processing unit (GPU) and its implementation for different FSW applications such as butt joi…

Friction stir welding (FSW) was employed to fabricate dissimilar joints between 1060 aluminium alloys and commercially pure Cu under various process conditions and microstructure and mechanical properties studies were conducted to investigate interm…

SiC particles, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and C60 fullerene were dispersed in an AZ31 alloy matrix by friction stir processing (FSP) and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the surface composites were investigated. The FSP conditions …

A comprehensive microstructural investigation, incorporating SEM, TEM, STEM (scanning transmission electron microscopy) and EBSD (electron backscattering diffraction), was undertaken on PM 2000 (Fe, 20%Cr, 5.5%Al, 0.5%Ti, 0.5%Y2O3) ODS (oxide disper…

In relation to the occurrence of abnormal grain growth in aluminium alloy spun formed dome development using friction stir welded (FSW) blanks, an investigation is presented into tensile tests performed on two AA 2195 (Al, 4%Cu, 1%Li) FSW parameter …

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were undertaken on 4142 low alloy and S7 tool steels as well as dissimilar steel combinations and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints were investigated. FSW was conducted using an…

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were performed on 6005A-T6 (Al, 0.49%Mg, 0.61%Si) alloy plates (thickness 6 mm) using a fully instrumented CNC milling machine, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the welded joints were invest…