TWI

A methodology to facilitate cost-effective friction stir welding (FSW) of large and complex 3D structures is presented based on a parallel kinematic machine concept called Pentapod, and welding trial results for spherical structures and dissimilar m…

A high force, multi-axis friction stir welding (FSW) machine was employed to perform one-run welding experiments on thick plates (thickness 75 mm) of AA 6082-T6 alloys, and the hardness, microstructure and crystallographic texture of the joints were…

An investigation is presented into the effect of frictional heating on joint behaviour during friction stir welding (FSW) between aluminium alloy 6063 and mild steel S45C, the cross-section microstructure of the weld interface, and the welding mecha…

The friction stir welding of dissimilar aluminium alloys for the production of aircraft structural components was investigated. Welds were made between alloys 7040 and 7449 pre-aged to obtain a defined temper after post-weld ageing. Alloy 7040 was a…

The formability of friction stir welded aluminium alloy tailored welded blanks (TWBs), as used in the automotive industry, was analysed, based on hardening exponent and anisotropy values obtained from tensile tests (parallel and normal to loading di…

An experimental study was carried out on friction stir welded aluminium alloy tailored welded blanks (TWB's) to determine mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics in order to evaluate friction stir welding (FSW) as a feasible method…

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 effects of friction stir welding (FSW) parameters and tool geometry on the forces and torques generated during the FSW of four aluminium alloys were studied. The alloys were 6082-T6 (6.45 mm), 5083-H111 (6.55 mm), 2014-T6 (5.9 mm) and 7075-T7351…

The decision to use friction stir welding (FSW) in the manufacture of aluminium alloy car wheels by Simmons Wheels, Sydney, Australia is described. Rim sections are formed from alloy 6061 in thicknesses of 4-6 mm. These are attached to cast or forge…

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…

Welding trials are reported to demonstrate joint formation between S45C mild steel and aluminium alloy 6063 using a friction stir diffusion process. Welding experiments were undertaken using a machining centre with a cemented carbide rotating tool, …

The effects of post weld heat treatments on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of friction stir welded dissimilar aluminium alloy joints (2024/6056) were studied. Sheets of 4 mm thickness were first joined in heat treatments T3 for 2…

A direct modelling approach ("SAMCEF" software finite element simulation) coupled with an inverse model, based on genetic algorithm optimisation (MAX software), was applied to the friction stir welding (FSW) process for two aluminium alloys (6005A-T…

Thermomechanical and microstructural modelling were performed for the friction stir welding process, simulating the thermal diffusion during and after welding (in the cooling stage), and comparing the results with experimental data obtained for fric…

The paper comprises copies of the presentation slides which describe the development of welding experiments and equipment to provide experimental data to validate process models of the friction stir welding process. Data obtained include tool parame…

The relationship between microstructure and hardness was investigated in friction stir welded aluminium alloy 6063-T5. The alloy thickness was 6 mm. Hardness profiles were measured across the stir zone. The microstructure of the as-welded and postwe…

The feasibility of joining layers of dissimilar metals (aluminium and steel) by friction stir welding (FSW) was investigated. Aluminium (A-1050-O) was placed above steel (JIS S50C carbon steel). The tool revolution was 3000 rpm and the tool feed rat…

The development of orbital friction stir welding (FSW) technology for joining aluminium pipes for gas insulated power transmission lines (GIL) is described. The equipment is outlined: hydraulic unit, control panel, FSW head with steel wire rope and …

The influence of the process parameters on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion of friction stir welded aluminium alloy 2024-T3 was investigated. Sheets of 1.6 and 4 mm thickness were welded using rotational speeds of 800-2400 rpm…

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 (…