TWI Digital Library

The feasibility of using friction stir welding (FSW) in the construction of an aircraft central wing box from butt-welded extrusions was evaluated. An FSW procedure for welding 7055 T77511 and 7349 T6511 10 mm thickness extrusions was developed by T…

The design, construction and use of a purpose-built friction stir welding machine for the welding of 15.9 mm (0.625 in) thickness, 1.88 m (74 in) long aluminium alloy 6061-T6 plate and extruded sections to form the side panels of a laser system is d…

A softening model was constructed for friction stir welding (FSW) of 2xxx series aluminium alloys and was combined with previously derived thermal cycle modelling work. A thermal model of energy input and heat conduction was used to calculate therma…

Sleeve plunge friction spot welding was employed to join AA5042 aluminium alloys under various process conditions and the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the welded joints were investigated. Welding was performed using a three-piece …

A procedure has been developed for repairing welds made by friction stir welding (FSW) in cases where the tool breaks during welding. It involves the following stages: excavating the broken FSW tool, milling out a slot across the hole, machining 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…

A methodology incorporating friction stir processing (for plasticising) and friction stir welding (for joining components) was developed to fabricate T-shaped copper conductor rails. Experiments were undertaken on copper plate specimens (thickness 8…

AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets (thickness 3 mm) were joined by TIG welding and the effect of two run rapid cooling friction stir processing (RC-FSP) on welded joint microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. TIG welding was undertaken a…

Kahn notched tear tests and fractography were employed to investigate variations in toughness and fracture mode across the weld zones in friction stir welded AA 7449 plates (thickness 40 mm) in the TAF (temper for age-forming) condition. Welding was…

Numerical simulations and experimental measurements were undertaken to study the temperature fields developed during friction stir welding (FSW) of AW 5083 (Al, 4-4.9%Mg, 0.25%Mn) alloy plates (thickness 10 mm). Welding was conducted at a rotational…

The quality of friction stir welds of butt joints (including the use of inserts to simulate compensation for poor fit up) between aluminium alloys 5083-H12 (Al, 4.6%Mg, 0.6%Mn, 0.3%Si) and 6082-T6 (Al, 0.7%Mg, 0.9%Si, 0.5%Mn), was evaluated. The wel…

The friction stir weldability of the dissimilar materials copper and aluminium alloy was studied, assessing the effects of different process parameters (rotation and traverse speeds, rotation direction (Cu or Al on advancing side), displacement and …

Work from two projects is described: "Qualistir" for the on-line quality control of friction stir welding in aluminium (by ultrasonic phased array examination of butt welded Al 7075); and a TWI feasibility study on inspection of Al 5083 butt and lap…

Dissimilar butt joints between aluminium alloys and steel or an AZ91 magnesium alloy (Mg, 9.39%Al, 0.85%Zn) were fabricated by ultrasound enhanced friction stir welding (USE-FSW) and their microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties were inv…

Dissimilar butt joints between die-cast ADC12 aluminium alloy (Al, 11.53%Si, 2.02%Cu) and S45C carbon steel (0.46%C, 0.64%Mn, 0.12%Cu) were fabricated by friction stir welding and their static strength and fatigue properties were investigated. Weldi…

With regard to the use of copper canisters for the storage of spent nuclear fuel, an investigation is presented into a cascade controller to maintain probe temperature and to control power input and tool depth during friction stir welding procedures…

A report is presented into the development of a refill friction stir spot welding (FSSW) robot system, performance evaluation with respect to FSSW of aircraft aluminium alloys, and fabrication of full-scale aircraft production components. The FSSW r…

Friction stir welding (FSW) experiments were undertaken on type 304 austenitic stainless steel (18-20%Cr, 8-10.5%Ni) under various process conditions by changing the heat input, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of joints obtained at …

The effect of process parameters during the plunge stage of friction stir welding were examined as part of the development of industrialised friction stir welding equipment. The effects of the tool plunging speed and the rotational speed on the maxi…

The results of a programme to establish self reacting friction stir welding for thin gauge (less than 3 mm) aluminium alloy applications are reported divided into the five major phases: tool development; joint evaluation; strength optimisation; prot…