Fabricators are under increasing pressure to produce stronger and lighter products whilst using less energy, less environmentally harmful materials, at lower cost and more quickly than ever before. FSW, being a solid-state, low-energy-input, repeatable mechanical process capable of producing very high-strength welds in a wide range of materials, offers a potentially lower-cost, environmentally benign solution to these challenges.
FSW was invented and pioneered by TWI Ltd. Accordingly, we have a wealth of experience of applying the process industrially, in addition to in-depth knowledge of the fundamental science that underlies it.
Process Overview
FSW is a solid-state joining process that creates high-quality, high-strength joints with low distortion and is capable of fabricating either butt or lap joints, in a wide range of material thicknesses and lengths.
In the process a rotating FSW tool is plunged between two clamped plates. The frictional heat causes a plasticised zone to form around the tool. The rotating tool moves along the joint line. A consolidated solid-phase joint is formed.
FSW being a solid-state process eliminates many of the defects associated with fusion welding techniques such as shrinkage, solidification cracking and porosity.
TWI’s Members include many of the world’s suppliers of FSW equipment.