TWI Digital Library

Aluminium alloy fusion welds were modified by friction stir processing (FSP) as a function of FSP location and tool design, and differences between the FSP locations and tools were quantified by microstructure and mechanical property measurements (u…

The incorporation of strips of copper foil in friction stir welded aluminium alloy plate was evaluated for flow visualisation without disturbing the welding process. The strips, of 0.1 mm thickness, were placed in various longitudinal and transverse…

Guidance notes devised for Lloyd's Register of Shipping surveyors for use in the quality assurance of friction stir welded aluminium alloys are presented.The notes cover: welding equipment, materials welded, and welding requirements (weld qualificat…

Friction stir spot welded joints in aluminium alloy 6061-T4 were studied. Sheet of 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 mm thickness was friction stir welded to sheet of 3 mm thickness, using welds of 8-18 mm in length (equivalent in area to circular resistance spot we…

A model which considers heat transfer to both tool and workpiece was developed to predict temperature distributions for the friction stir welding (FSW) process. The model assumes a cylindrical pin generating heat at the interface by friction, and th…

Flame resistant AZX 612 (Mg, 6%Al, 1%Zn, 2%Ca) magnesium alloy joints were fabricated by asymmetric double sided friction stir welding (FSW) and the influence of tool rotational speed on their microstructure and mechanical properties was investigate…

A thermal-pseudo-mechanical model, based on the use of material temperature-dependent yield stress as the driver for heat input, was proposed for heat generation in friction stir welding, and simulation results were compared with experimental temper…

A two-step modelling procedure, consisting of a thermo-fluid model and a thermo-mechanical model, was employed to predict temperature, flow and residual stress fields around the workpiece block, steel backing plate and tool in friction stir welding …

An economic analysis was undertaken to compare the costs of onshore and offshore pipeline construction scenarios for welds made using friction stir welding (FSW) and conventional mechanised MIG/MAG welding. Pipe diameters of 1067 and 305 mm were sel…

The microstructure, static and dynamic fatigue failure properties of friction stir spot welds in advanced high-strength steel were investigated. Welds were made in the overlap configuration in uncoated and galvanised dual-phase DP800 steel (1.25 mm …

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…

An investigation is presented into the development of the stationary shoulder self-reacting pin tool (SSSRPT) as a friction stir welding variant and the application of the tool to fabrication of butt joints in sheets (thickness 4 mm) of A6N01 alloys…

A refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) process with a short welding cycle time was employed to fabricate welded joints in thin gauge AA 6111-T4 aluminium alloy sheets (thickness 0.9 mm) and the mechanical properties of the joints were investiga…

The effects of friction stir welding (FSW) tool geometry on material flow during the welding of 4 mm aluminium alloys 2024-T51 and 6056-T4 were investigated. Welds were made using three different welding tool pins (conical non-threaded profile, coni…

The use of friction stir welding in aircraft manufacture, particularly the Airbus, both as an alternative to riveting and for the production of tailored blanks, is discussed. Potential benefits include cost and weight reduction. The European aircraf…

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…

A methodology is presented to define conical tool geometry and process parameters for friction stir welding (FSW) of thin plates. A calculation algorithm integrating a basic thermal model, tool geometry and process kinematics is proposed, the proces…

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…

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…

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 …