Friction Stir Welding - Intellectual Property Rights

Friction stir welding was invented by Wayne Thomas at TWI in December 1991. TWI filed successfully for patents in Europe, USA, Japan and Australia. The patent covers the friction stir welding process, so anyone using the process needs permission (licence) from TWI. It is TWI's policy to grant non-exclusive licences to any potential users on reasonable commercial terms. Special arrangements are available for machine manufacturers, research institutes and universities. 158 organisations world-wide had such licences in January 2007, and the number is increasing rapidly.

TWI maintains listings of known friction stir welding patents and patent applications.

TWI has also all the rights on a second patent on the process which was filed by Midling et al. in January 1995.

  • Thomas W M, Nicholas E D, Needham J C, Murch M G, Temple-Smith P and Dawes C J, 'Improvements relating to friction welding', European Patent Specification 0 615 480 B1.
  • Midling O T, Morley E J, Sandvik A, 'Friction stir welding'. European Patent Specification 0 752 926 B1.

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