Friction Stir Welding
Friction-stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining process (the metal is not melted) and is used when the original metal characteristics must remain unchanged as much as possible. It mechanically intermixes the two pieces of metal at the place of the join, then softens them so the metal can be fused using mechanical pressure, much like joining clay, dough, or plasticine. It is primarily used on aluminium, and most often on large pieces that cannot be easily heat-treated after welding to recover temper characteristics.
It was invented and experimentally proven at The Welding Institute UK in December 1991. TWI holds patents on the process, the first being the most descriptive.
Read more about Friction Stir Welding: Principle of Operation, Microstructural Features, Advantages and Limitations, Welding Forces, Flow of Material, Generation and Flow of Heat, Applications, Friction Stir Welding Experts
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