Friction Stir Welding (FSW)

FSW is a natural joining technique.

The friction stir welding method is based on joining the material of the parts to be welded in a relatively cold state.

This is achieved by causing a rotating pin to pass through the material. The frictional heat is sufficient to cause the materials to join in the plastic state.

This is why the process has been given the name ‘Friction Stir Welding’. This method requires only a small amount of heat, and no added material or protective gas is used. No vapours or fumes are produced during the welding process. There is no metal spatter and no electric arc. The process is also relatively quiet.

Aluminium profiles, panels and sheets for ship construction, railway construction, the aircraft industry, train construction, the automotive industry, general construction, container construction and industrial applications can now be supplied with much larger dimensions and much closer tolerances.

POSSIBILITIES

• FSW joins elements to create extra-wide and extra-long products:
  profile with profile
  profile with sheet
  sheet with sheet
  different alloys
  difficult shapes (e.g. heat sinks, etc.)

• FSW creates leak-proof, water-tight joints
• FSW welds are corrosion resistant
  

• FSW are flat and straight, and they do not require extra finishing
• The FSW process is friendly to humans and the environment
  
  
  

  no flame, no heat

ADVANTAGES OF FSW RELATIVE TO FUSION WELDING

• Stronger (generally 25% stronger compared to MIG)
• Better sealing - fully leak-proof, gas-tight and water-tight, impermeable joints with greater strength than with fusion welding
• Reduced thermal deformation (the thinner wall thickness can be applied)
• Good flatness due to low thermal stresses in the material
• Better reproducibility: there are only a limited number of production variables which can easily be controlled to achieve consistent repeatable results with narrow tolerances

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you would like more information about the Friction Stir Welding process and the various options available, please request a copy of our brochure. The brochure provides additional information about the structure of the welded seam, strength, leak-tightness, surface flatness, reproducibility, and corrosion resistance...