TWI Digital Library

Friction stir welding experiments were undertaken on Ti-6%Al-4%V sheets (thickness 2 mm) in order to investigate the influence of process conditions on stir zone microstructure and local texture. Welding was performed at rotational speeds of 225-300…

With regard to the occurrence of residual oxide defects associated with friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminium alloys, an investigation is presented into a possible alternative mechanism for oxide formation within the weld nugget involving enhance…

A method investigated by Sweden for storage of nuclear waste in copper canisters sealed using friction stir welding (where EB welding has been used before) is described. Topics include: Nimonic 105 and Densimet sintered tungsten alloy tool; welding …

The numerical simulation of the friction stir welding process using two different commercial finite element codes is described. FORGE3, which uses an updated Lagrangian approach, was used to simulate the plunge of the pin and the THERCAST package, w…

Evaluation of phased array ultrasonic inspection for the detection of typical friction stir weld defects is reported. Characteristics of friction stir welds with respect to inspectability are described. Phased array operation is outlined. A variety …

Friction stir welded joints in aluminium alloy 6061-T6 sheet were produced using a robot arm, to assess the ability of the arm to withstand the mechanical stresses associated with friction stir welding. The arm was fitted with an electrically powere…

Friction stir welding of aluminium alloys suitable for railway and shipbuilding applications was investigated. Sheet of 4 mm thickness of alloys 6N01-T5 (Al, 0.7%Mg, 0.6%Si, 0.1%Cu) and 5083-H112 (Al, 4.7%Mg) were friction stir welded, and the joint…

The SCIENZE (Supply Chain Innovation Engineering for Net Zero) Project aims to create a UK based supply chain that is capable of manufacturing the next generation of power electronic components at volumes higher than is currently feasible to do toda…

A project to introduce friction stir welding for aluminium shipbuilding in Taiwan is described. The advantages of FSW compared with arc welding for this application are summarised. Stages of the project are outlined, covering work with local tool fa…

The use of a full-length welding process to repair defective friction stir welded (FSW) butt joints in aerospace aluminium alloys was evaluated. Lack of penetration, offset and tunnel defects were investigated in AA6156-T6, AA2198-T8 and AA2024-T3 a…

Friction stir welding was employed to fabricate bead-on-plate welds on AA 6063 aluminium alloy sheets (thickness 5 mm) and dissimilar joints between AA 6063 and S45C carbon steel plates (thickness 6 mm), and the influence of weld shape on microstruc…

An indirect temperature measurement system was developed based on the acquisition of torque and process forces during friction stir welding (FSW) and a mathematical model incorporating a grey box approach was formulated to determine the correlation …

Friction stir welding was employed to fabricate welded joints in Ni-free 18%Cr, 2%Mo, 0.85%N austenitic steel sheets (thickness 3 mm) and the gradient characteristics of the microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated along transvers…

The concept and theoretical principles of friction flow welding are presented. Numerical simulation using 'Deform-3D' software was used to compared and optimise the process. The applicability of friction flow welding to different aluminium alloys wa…

In relation to the industrialisation of the friction stir welding process to facilitate qualification of welding machines for different applications, a methodology is presented based on the interactions between tool, workpiece and material. Issues d…

A report is presented into the "RoboFSW" project, intended to qualify a high payload articulated arm robot for friction stir welding (FSW); hardware modification and control system integration are described and 3D FSW capability is reported for circ…

Two abutting plates (thickness 6 mm) of Al 6061-T6 and cold rolled AISI 1018 mild steel were friction stir welded along the butt joint with the steel and aluminium, respectively, on advancing and retreating sides, and the relationship between proces…

The surface quality, microstructure and crystallographic texture were investigated as a function of traverse speed for friction stir welds of Ti-6Al-4V, produced using static shoulder tools consisting of a tungsten-rhenium probe and a silicon nitrid…

The non-destructive testing (NDT) aspects of the Qualistir project for the on-line quality control of friction stir welding in aluminium are described. Definitions are given for the following defects: voids, wormholes, lack of penetration, faying su…

The development of three-dimensional column-type friction stir welding (FSW) equipment for robotic FSW of joints with complex shapes is described. The process requires a large force and precision control for tool penetration. The specification of th…