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Aluminium Design and Construction John Dwight

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Figure 3.5 Friction-stir welding: some joint geometries.<br />

shoulder diameter in the range 10–20 mm. The Norwegian firm Hydro<br />

<strong>Aluminium</strong> a.s. has patented a modified form of tool in which the pin<br />

has two circumferential ribs <strong>and</strong> the shoulder is slightly dished.<br />

The force exerted on the plates by the shoulder is an important<br />

parameter which must be monitored <strong>and</strong> controlled during welding.<br />

The other welding parameters are shoulder diameter, tool rpm <strong>and</strong> tool<br />

traverse speed. Figure 3.5 indicates some of the joint geometries that<br />

can be accommodated.<br />

3.4.2 Features of FS welding<br />

FS welding provides a simple means of making butt-joints, for which<br />

it has the following advantages over MIG <strong>and</strong> TIG.<br />

Profile. An FS joint, with its flat surfaces, has a tidier geometry than<br />

an arc-welded joint.<br />

Strength. From data so far available, it appears that FS joints are<br />

stronger than arc-welded ones. The mechanical properties in the nugget<br />

have been found to be superior to those in the HAZ at an arc weld;<br />

also the question of weld-metal strength (i.e. the deposit) does not<br />

arise, because there is none.<br />

Fatigue. Clearly FS joints are superior in fatigue, because of their good<br />

profile.<br />

Grain size. The nugget in FS welds has a finer grain size than that of the<br />

parent metal, causing them to perform well in transverse bend tests.<br />

Quality control. Once the welding parameters have been established,<br />

an FS weld is less operator dependent.<br />

Weldable alloys. The FS process is suitable for welding all the main alloy<br />

types, including the 2xxx-series, <strong>and</strong> the strong kind of 7xxx (such as<br />

7075).<br />

Equipment for the FS process is relatively unsophisticated.<br />

Power consumption is less.<br />

Weld-preparation. The plates are simply butted, without any<br />

preparation.<br />

3.4.3 Limitations<br />

The chief disadvantage of the FS process is the need to provide a rigid<br />

support system, to react against the considerable downward force exerted<br />

Copyright 1999 by Taylor & Francis Group. All Rights Reserved.

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