TWI Digital Library

Friction stir welding (FSW) was carried out on AZ31 magnesium alloy (Mg, 3%Al, 1%Zn) plates of thickness 6 mm in order to examine the relationship between weld microtexture and tensile properties. Orientation imaging microscopy was used to examine m…

The mechanical properties of the parent metals and friction stir welded joints in aluminium alloy 6 mm plate 2014A, 7075 and 5083 are summarised. CTOD and J fracture toughness results are reported for the parent metal and up to five different region…

Friction stir welded joints in 2024-T351 Al-Cu-Mg alloy were subjected to fatigue testing to evaluate the suitability of this welding process for aircraft manufacture. Aluminium alloy (Al, 3.8-4.9%Cu, 1.2-1.8%Cu, 0.5%Si, 0.5%Fe, 0.2%Zr) of 6.35 mm (…

A review is presented of process development work undertaken with regard to a machine concept assessment and the realisation of a fully 3D-capable 5-axis parallel kinematic friction stir welding machine, a so-called pentapod, suitable for large and …

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 feasibility of friction stir welding (FSW) for welding aluminium alloy 7020, used for the construction of light armoured fighting vehicles, was investigated and compared with MIG welding. Two joint configurations were tested: butt welding in 100…

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…

Different aluminium alloys were joined by friction stir welding (EN AW-5754-H14 to sheets of the same material, extruded profile EN AW-6063-T6 sheets to high pressure die cast EN AC-46000) and characterised by x-ray and microscopy studies, and the m…

The weldability of magnesium alloys by friction stir welding was studied using three die-cast alloys of thickness 6 mm (AM50 and AM60 Mg-Al-Mn alloys; AZ91 Mg-Al-Zn alloy) and one wrought alloy of thickness 6.4 mm (AZ231 Mg-Al-Zn alloy). Surface app…

Finite element models of the friction stir welding of aluminium alloys are reviewed and the results compared with experimental measurements. Contact between the pin and the workpiece is considered in two ways: frictional contact; or assuming the mat…

Experiments were conducted to compare heat input and weld hardness in friction stir welding (FSW) and MIG welding of aluminium alloy. Material A-6N01-T5 (Al, 0.8%Mg, 0.6%Si) of thickness 4 mm was used. The heat inputs were measured by calorimetry. H…

The Skew-Stir™ variant of friction stir welding (FSW), in which the axis of the tool is at an angle to that of the machine spindle, is described. The technique provides an improved path for metal to flow around the tool during welding, resulti…

The origin of the lines of micrometre sized oxide particles observed in aluminium alloy friction stir welds was investigated. Butt and bead on plate welds were prepared using 6 mm plate of aluminium (99.999%Al and 99.5%Al) and aluminium alloy 6056 (…

Abrasion circle and modified refill friction stir spot welding (FSSW) techniques were employed to fabricate dissimilar joints between 6111-T4 (Al, 0.75%Mg, 0.69%Si, 0.75%Cu) and AZ31 (Mg, 3%Al, 1%Zn, 0.5%Mn) alloy sheets (thickness 0.9 mm) with the …

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 …

Carbon nanotube reinforced AA 6063 aluminium alloy (Al, 0.65%Mg, 0.34%Si) metal matrix composite (MMC) sheets (thickness 1.8 mm) were joined by friction stir welding (FSW) and experimental studies were undertaken to examine the MMC weldability as we…

The microstructure, hardness, indentation profile, tensile strength, fracture cracking and grain boundaries of friction stir overlap welds in 2124 aerospace aluminium alloy were investigated. Welds were made in EN AW-2124 heat-treatable wrought AlCu…