Friction Stir Welding

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) has become an exciting new metal joining technique with many dynamic applications, especially in the aerospace and defense industries. FSW is accomplished through use of special tools to plasticize metal along a joint and create a solid state, full penetration weld. Although currently restricted to welding aluminum alloys, the process is being further developed to work on magnesium, copper, steel, titanium, and nickel alloys.

Friction Stir Welding offers several technical advantages relative to conventional fusion welding:

• Low distortion, even in long welds and thin materials
• Excellent mechanical properties, often equal to the parent material
• Allows joining of different alloys and wrought material to castings
• Previously poor welding alloys (e.g. 2000 and 7000 series aluminum) can be joined
• Minimal shrinkage
• No porosity
• Eliminates most joint prep and post weld processing