TWI Digital Library

A review is presented of various models developed to understand the effects of thermal cycles and metal flow behaviour on the microstructure and properties of welded joints fabricated by friction stir welding of steel, and a comprehensive numerical …

Additive friction surfacing (AFS) is a variant of friction surfacing (FS) where multiple layers of feedstock material can be deposited to generate a near-net shape part. AFS has the potential to yield significantly higher deposition rates than tradi…

A discussion is presented on developments in polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) tool design for use in the friction stir welding of high temperature materials such as steels. Improvements in tool material grades, tool design and FSW equipmen…

In relation to the potential of force control friction stir welding (FSW) to produce higher quality weldments, an investigation is presented into the integration of closed-loop force control onto milling machines using popular CNC control systems, f…

A description is presented of the development of an aircraft adapter pallet system for the rapid deployment of supplies and equipment for use by the US Army. The pallets consisted of seven lightweight AA-6005A aluminium alloy (Al, 0.4-0.7%Mg, 0.5-0.…

An experimental investigation was conducted into the effects of friction stir processing (FSP) and post-FSP ageing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Alloy 718 castings. Bead-on-plate welds were fabricated on cast Alloy 718 sheets (t…

An investigation was undertaken to examine the effect of adding aluminium to magnesium on the strength of dissimilar joints between steel and magnesium fabricated by friction stir welding. The materials studied were pure 3N magnesium, AZ31 (Mg, 2.9%…

With regard to the requirement to produce friction stir welded (FSW) lap joints with strength and fatigue properties suitable for commercial regional aircraft, work undertaken by MTS Systems and Bombardier Aerospace to develop pin tools and corrosio…

The degradation mechanisms of friction stir welding (FSW) tools made of three tungsten alloys were investigated. Tools were made from 99%W-1%La2O3, 75%W-25%Re and 70%W-20%Re-10%HfC. These were used to make friction stir welds in high strength steel …

High alloy tool steel H13, silicon nitride(Si3N4) and tungsten carbide (WC) bonded with 10%Co cylindrical pin tools (12.5 mm diameter) were evaluated for the friction stir welding of aluminium alloy 6061 containing 20 wt% alumina by determining an e…

An experimental investigation was conducted to examine weldability, material thickness, welding speed and joint geometry aspects of robotic friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminium alloy aircraft structures. An ABB IRB7600-500 serial design robot wa…

Weld initiation experiments were undertaken on various Al-Mg(-Si) alloy extrusions to develop fixed-gap bobbin tool designs and process procedures to facilitate friction stir welding (FSW) of sheet specimens as thin as 3 mm. The alloy grades studied…

A multi-physics model for thermal simulation of bobbin-tool friction stir welding was developed assuming a partially sticking condition at the tool-matrix interface, and simulation results were compared with experimental data for welding of AA7449 a…

A report is presented into recent advances made in friction stir welding (FSW) of 7075 aluminium alloy and 12%Cr alloy steel plates (thickness 12 mm) using refractory metal tools in conjunction with a variety of surface modifications, including stud…

A friction stir spot welding (FSSW) process was employed to fabricate dissimilar joints between an AA 5754 aluminium alloy and an AZ31 magnesium alloy in a lap joint configuration using a Zn layer at the interface to suppress intermetallic formation…

The development of cryogenic tank domes for gas tanks for carrier rockets using friction stir welding (FSW) and high strength aluminium alloys of the 2xxx series is outlined. The verification of an existing NC-controlled milling machining centre (Ca…

Aluminum 6xxx extrusions are commonly joined with either friction stir welding (FSW) or fusion welding into large-sized assemblies. The assemblies are typically deployed to service in as-welded condition. Mechanical performance of naturally aging we…

The friction stir welding (FSW) manufacturing technology of large aluminium extrusions for rail, automotive and aerospace applications was optimised. Tensile strength, impact value, hardness and microstructure were investigated in friction stir weld…

The effects of laser surfacing on the microstructure and corrosion properties of friction stir welds in 6.34 mm (0.25 in) thickness plates of aluminium alloys 2024-T351 and 7010-T7651 were studied. Specimens were laser surfaced using an excimer lase…

Friction stir welded joints, produced in an extruded profile of aluminium alloy 6082-T6 using run on and run off plates, were evaluated by measurement of mechanical properties. Plate of 6 mm thickness was welded using a range of process parameters, …