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FSW Process Variants and Mechanical Properties

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Abstract

Friction stir welding (FSW) has gained increasing interest since its invention at TWI some 13 years ago. The continuing development of the process is described. The design of the tool is the key to the successful application of the FSW process and its ability to accommodate a range of aluminium alloys over a wider range of thickness. A key factor in tool technology is the ratio between the volume swept by the probe and the volume of the probe itself. This paper will focus on fatigue performance of lap welds made with rotary Skew-stir™ and reversal Skew-stir™ techniques.

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References

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Thomas, W., Nicholas, E.D., Staines, D. et al. FSW Process Variants and Mechanical Properties. Weld World 49, 4–11 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03266468

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