TWI Digital Library

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…

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…

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…

Microstructural evolution in friction stir welded commercially pure aluminium 1100-O plate was investigated. Plate of thickness 6.35 mm (0.25 in) was welded using rotational speeds of 700 and 1200 rpm, and welding speeds of 180 and 580 mm/min. The m…

Friction stir spot welding experiments were undertaken on AZ31 magnesium alloy (Mg, 3%Al, 1%Zn, 0.2%Mn) sheets (thickness 2 mm) in order to investigate the influence of a flame spray gun rapid preheating process on the microstructures and mechanical…

The feasibility of friction stir welding steels was investigated using mild (low-carbon) steel plate (AISI-1010) of 6.4 mm (0.25 in) thickness. Temperature distributions were predicted using a simple thermal model. Tool wear was assessed by determin…

An experimental study was made of the effect of friction stir processing (FSP) and the influence of process parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast magnesium AZ91 alloy. FSP tests were conducted on die cast plates of 4 mm …

A feasibility study is presented for the joining of mild steel plates (0.2%C, 0.11%Si, 0.63%Mn) of 12 mm in thickness by friction stir welding (FSW). Process optimisation using a combination of operating parameters and tool geometries is discussed, …

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were conducted on a variety of materials and grain structure development, material flow characteristics and crystallographic texture formation were examined by high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction.…

Dissimilar joints between an AA 5052 aluminium alloy sheet (thickness 1 mm) and an alumina plate (thickness 10 mm) were fabricated by friction stir spot welding (FSSW) and their microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Welding was…

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were undertaken on pure aluminium (A1050) sheets (thickness 5 mm), and the material flow during welding was visualised in 3D by x-ray radiography using a tiny spherical tungsten tracer. FSW was performed in po…

The electrically assisted friction stir welding (EAFSW) technique, in which an electric current is fed through the workpiece to soften the metal by means of ohmic heating, is described and some trial experimental results are reported. The initial EA…

A numerical model based on the finite element method and axisymmetric thermo-elastic-plastic analysis was developed to describe the refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) process and to predict the temperature distribution in welded joints as a f…

The development of friction stir welding (FSW) technology for the Ariane 5 ME heavy launch vehicle project is illustrated with respect to the superior material properties of FSW within the parameter development and the manufacturing of circumferenti…