TWI Digital Library

The feasibility of short-cycle friction stir spot welding for joining thin sheet aluminium alloys and steels, both galvanised and ungalvanised, was evaluated. Welds were made between 6111-T4 AlMgSi alloy (Al, 0.75%Cu, 0.25%Fe, 0.75%Mg, 0.2%Mn, 0.69%…

The results of quality assessments, based on visual examination, mechanical testing, analysis of weld structures and hardness testing, of both similar and dissimilar friction stir welded (FSW) joints of aluminium casting alloys EN AC-42100, EN AC-43…

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 relationship between microstructure and properties in friction stir welding was studied. The effects of grain size, particle size and distribution, and dislocation density on weld strength in friction stir welds in work-hardenable Al alloy AA 52…

The mechanical properties and microstructures of friction stir butt welds in 6.4 mm and 12.7 mm thickness quenched and tempered martensitic steel plate were compared with those of GMA butt welds in the same parent metal. The friction stir welds in t…

A description is presented of the self reacting friction stir welding (SR-FSW) process and the specially designed welding head; results are reported from tests determining the mechanical properties of SR-FSW welds in AA-2219 and AA-2195 aluminium al…

The use of friction stir welding, as an alternative to bolted or riveted joints, for the assembly of Airbus wings is discussed. Issues considered include: cost reduction, weight reduction, joint quality, and enhanced in-service performance. Potentia…

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…

As part of a project to develop a physical-mathematical model and software for thermal simulation of the friction stir welding (FSW) process, an initial version "FricSim2.2" was created and verified, using the software tool "SpotFSW" to convert the …

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…

The design and construction of a prototype fixture and a corner fixture for making 90 degree corner joints in aluminium alloys by friction stir welding (FSW) are described. The requirements for a FSW weld fixture are outlined. The fixtures were test…

The microstructure of a friction stir weld (of unknown welding parameters) in titanium alloy (Ti, 6%Al, 4%V) is described. The microstructure was studied using optical microscopy, SEM and TEM. The features of the parent material, HAZ and the thermom…

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…

The friction stir welding of copper for the production of spent nuclear fuel storage disposal canisters was investigated. Initial trials were conducted on UNS-C10100 plate of 10 mm thickness. The high temperatures required the use of a sintered tung…

A process model for friction stir welding (FSW) of Al-Zn-Mg alloys, used to predict HAZ microstructure and hardness, is presented. Numerical solutions (using a finite difference approach) are developed for heat generation and heat flow. Microstructu…

This paper describes the goals and initial progress of the research project titled "qualification of micro friction stir spot welding for cell-internal contacting of large-format battery cells in a battery production environment (μKoBatt)", which…

Friction stir welding (FSW) has been widely used in the automotive, aerospace, and high-tech industries due to its superior mechanical properties after welding. However, when it becomes matter to perform a high-quality joint using FSW, it is necessa…

An abrasion circle friction stir spot welding (ABC-FSSW) technique was employed to fabricate dissimilar metal joints between aluminium and steel automotive sheets, and the microstructure, mechanical properties and weld formation mechanisms of the jo…

With regard to inconsistencies in the literature concerning the correlation between friction stir welding (FSW) process inputs and post weld process or material response, an investigation is presented into the primary variables (temperature, cooling…

A friction stir processing (FSP) technique was employed to fabricate D2 steel hunting knife blades with long-life cutting edge retention, and blade integrity tests were undertaken. The FSP tool design was a convex scroll shoulder step spiral and the…