TWI

The surface and near-surface residual stress distributions of friction stir welds in three different aluminium alloys were measured using an x-ray diffraction technique. Welds in very low alkali and hydrogen content Al-Li alloy C458 (Al, 1.73%Li, 2.…

The use of a full-length welding process to repair defective friction stir welded (FSW) butt joints in aerospace aluminium alloys was evaluated. Lack of penetration, offset and tunnel defects were investigated in AA6156-T6, AA2198-T8 and AA2024-T3 a…

The development of a novel friction stir welding (FSW) monitoring for the in-process collection of tool force data is reported. The concept and features of this Advanced Rotating Tool Environment Monitoring and Information system (Artemis), based ar…

Friction stir welding (FSW) tools, equipment and auxiliary devices were developed for application to heavy section aluminium alloy plate (thickness 40-70 mm), and the microstructure and mechanical properties of welded joints fabricated by the proced…

A controller was developed and tested for the friction stir welding of copper canisters, used in the nuclear industry. The cascaded loop controller determines the power input requirement and tool temperature to achieve a stable, robust and repeatabl…

Multirun friction stir processing (FSP) (12 mm depth over large surface area) was performed on NiAl bronze (Cu, 9.1%Al, 4.4%Ni, 3.9%Fe) thick plates (thickness 40 mm) using a rectangular spiral-out raster path, and longitudinal residual stresses wer…

Dissimilar butt joints between A516 steel (0.15%C, 0.95%Mn, 0.03%Cr, 0.01%Ni, 0.29%Al) and Inconel 625 (Ni, 22.6%Cr, 9.4%Mo, 3.5%Nb) were fabricated by friction stir welding and recrystallisation and texture properties were investigated. Welding was…

An overview is presented of the benefits and limitations of stationary shoulder friction stir welding (SSFSW) compared with conventional FSW and other joining technologies; the challenges faced when applying FSW on a serial kinematics robot in relat…

Following an overview of initial work on friction stir welding (FSW) of titanium alloys, developments in the stationary shoulder FSW (SSFSW) technique are described, highlighting the potential of the SSFSW approach to increase welding speed (up to 2…

An investigation is presented into the effects of process parameters (welding and rotational speeds) during friction stir welding (FSW) on the hardness and tensile properties of welded joints fabricated in butt configuration sheet specimens (thickne…

The test results are reported for preliminary trials of the feasibility and benefits of applying angular reciprocating (reversal within one revolution) or rotary reversal (reversal after one or more revolutions) motion to the tool during friction st…

The viability of robotic friction stir welding (FSW) has been enhanced by the development of robots with payloads up to 500 kg, with enhanced arm stiffness and improved force control capability. A robot welding system is described which has features…

The development of robots, tools and control systems for three-dimensional friction stir welding of aluminium alloy plate up to 10 mm thickness is described. Robots have been developed with a triangulated arm construction, which provides the necessa…

Friction stir welded joints in aluminium alloy 6061-T6 sheet were produced using a robot arm, to assess the ability of the arm to withstand the mechanical stresses associated with friction stir welding. The arm was fitted with an electrically powere…

Neutron and synchrotron x-ray diffraction techniques were employed to determine the effect of global mechanical tensioning on residual stress in friction stir welded joints fabricated in AA 2199-T8 (Al, 2.63%Cu, 1.56%Li) and AA 7449-W51 (Al, 7.5-8.7…

The principles of friction stir welding (FSW) are outlined. The research and development of FSW technology in Japan is reviewed. Japan has concentrated on the 6xxx series of aluminium alloys. Research relating to thermal cycles of FSW and heat input…

A rotating data logger system was developed to investigate the influence of process parameters on tool tip temperature during friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of AA 6061-T6 and 5083-O aluminium alloy lap joints. The data logger was designed to rota…

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 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…

An investigation was undertaken to explore the feasibility of welding baseline aerospace aluminium alloys along with additional constituents, such as coatings and a faying surface sealant, by the refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) technique a…