TWI Digital Library

Butt welding experiments were undertaken to investigate the feasibility of joining a metal matrix composite (MMC), comprising an Al-10%Si matrix and 20 vol.% SiC particles, to an AA-6063-T5 alloy by friction stir welding (FSW). Optimum process param…

Friction stir spot welding experiments were conducted on dissimilar metal joints between AA5052 aluminium alloy and three kinds of zinc coated steel, and weldability analysis, microstructure observations and mechanical tests were undertaken. The coa…

Friction stir processing (FSP) experiments were undertaken to modify the microstructure of Ti-6%Al-4%V parent metal specimens, in both alpha/beta and beta processed conditions, and TIG weld overlays deposited onto Ti, 6%Al, 4%V alloy using matching …

Similar and dissimilar joints between 2014-T6 (Al, 4.67%Cu) and 6061-T6 (Al, 0.9%Mg, 0.63%Si) aluminium alloys were fabricated by friction stir welding (FSW) with various sets of process parameters, and the microstructure and mechanical properties o…

The use of friction stir welding, as an alternative to bolted or riveted joints, for the assembly of Airbus wings is discussed. Issues considered include: cost reduction, weight reduction, joint quality, and enhanced in-service performance. Potentia…

In this study, the improvement of process stability of bobbin tool FSW for long welding length was studied. The base material used in this study was 18mm thickness 5083-O Al alloy. Floating bobbin type tools were used in this study. FSW produced def…

Bobbin-tool friction stir welding (BT-FSW) is a variant process of conventional friction stir welding with a particular tool configuration composed of an additional lower shoulder, enabling additional heat input and complete penetration of the pin. …

A friction stir welding tool with a variable length probe (suitable for variable thickness joints, repairs and circumferential welding) was developed and evaluated for the welding of aluminium alloy 2195. Tapered sheet, of both increasing and decrea…

An experimental investigation was made of the effect of welding tool shape on welding defects and material flow during friction stir welding (FSW) of dissimilar materials. Friction stir welding tools used had tool shoulders of tool steel and the pro…

Modelling tools were developed to describe the relationships between process parameters, microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of the weld in friction stir welding (FSW). Experiments were conducted using aluminium alloy 6056. Initial t…

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods were used to model the metal flow in the friction stir welding (FSW) process in order to optimise the pin profile to minimise the traversing force; welding experiments were carried out to validate the findi…

Friction stir welding (FSW) was investigated in aluminium alloys used in aircraft structures. Extruded shapes in alloys 2024 (Al, 4.96%Cu), 7475 (Al, 5.96%Zn, 2.57%Mg, 1.62%Cu) and 7050 (Al, 6.29%Zn, 2.36%Mg, 2.00%Cu) were welded; welds were evaluat…

The influence of friction stir welding on the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminium alloy 6061 was investigated. Aluminium alloy 6061-T651 plate of 6.4 mm (0.25 in) thickness was friction stir welded and the joints characterised by o…

Quantification approaches applied to phase space data generated from friction stir welding aluminium alloys under varying process conditions are reported. A multi-step, micro-wormhole, non-destructive evaluation phase-spaced, (PS) algorithm that com…

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…

Nondestructive testing of friction stir welds is discussed. The ultrasonic testing of friction stir welded joints, advantages of phased array testing and test applications are presented briefly. The eddy current array testing technique is illustrate…

Fatigue tests were performed using lap-shear specimens of friction stir spot welded Al, 0.8%Mg, 1%Si alloys. Sheet specimens (thickness 2 mm) were subjected to PWHT of solution treatment and/or ageing. Weld zone microstructure was observed by SEM. F…

The joining of hot rolled aerospace quality AZ31B-H24 magnesium alloy (Mg, 2.5-3.5%Al, 0.7-1.3%Zn, 0.2-1.0%Mn) sheets (thickness 4.95 mm) was investigated using an MTS ISTIR friction stir welding (FSW) machine, the quality of the butt joints produce…

A brief review is presented of the state of development of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) tool materials for friction stir welding (FSW) of high-temperature materials (high alloy steels and Ni based alloys) with respect to weld penetrati…

An overview is presented of the twenty year history and technological developments relating to the application of friction stir welding (FSW) to aluminium alloy railway car body shells. Issues discussed include the history of railway car body shell …