Development of improved tool designs and parameters for the friction stir butt welding of 1.2, 6 and 25mm thickness aluminium alloys

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 801/2004

M J Russell

Background

This report presents the results of a systematic study of advanced tool designs for the friction stir butt welding of aluminium alloys of 1.2, 6 and 25mm thickness. This work was carried out as part of the Eureka EuroStir ^TM project and was supported by the EuroStir ^TM group and TWI's Core Research Programme.

Objectives

• To develop and assess advanced tool designs for the FSW of a range of aluminium alloys of 1.2mm, 6mm and 25mm thickness.
  
• To determine effective welding parameters for the production of good quality friction stir welds, at the highest possible welding speeds, in each case.