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Friction Stir Welding Technology

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Structural Connections for Lightweight Metallic Structures

Part of the book series: Advanced Structured Materials ((STRUCTMAT,volume 8))

Abstract

The friction stir welding (FSW) process was invented in 1991 by Wayne Thomas et al., one of the authors of this chapter. This machine tool based process is currently considered an important development in welding technology, saving costs and weight for a steadily expanding range of applications of lightweight metallic structures. Evidences of the disruptive character of the FSW process are the prompt adoption by world-wide industry of the significant advantages of FSW and the numerous technic-scientific papers and patents published. The FSW technology has been subjected to the most demanding quality standard requirements and used in challenging industrial applications over a wide range of structural and non-structural components. In this chapter, some of the basic fundamentals underpinning the invention of FSW technology are presented with emphasis for the concept of the third-body region. The state-of-the-art concerning tooling in FSW for conventional and bobbin stir welding approaches are introduced. The non-destructive testing assessment of the most relevant imperfections in FSW is also discussed for butt and lap joints. In summary, the FSW is a key joining technology for lightweight metallic structures. The international organization for standardization standard for welding aluminium alloys by FSW is available and the most recent European standards for design of structures—Eurocodes, already include guidelines for the application FSW process.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Dr. R. Fenn (formerly Brunel University), Dr. C. S. Wiesner (TWI) and Dr. T. Santos (New University of Lisbon).

Certain Figures—‘Courtesy of TWI’ and any other photos from the public domain appropriate reference and courtesy is made.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Superior Técnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal

    Pedro Vilaça

  2. The Welding Institute, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AL, UK

    Wayne Thomas

Authors
  1. Pedro Vilaça
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  2. Wayne Thomas
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Correspondence to Pedro Vilaça .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. INEGI, Rua Dr. Robert Frias, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal

    Pedro M.G.P. Moreira

  2. Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade, Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal

    Lucas F. M. da Silva

  3. Facultade de Engenharia Mecanica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto, 4200-464, Portugal

    Paulo M.S.T. de Castro

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Vilaça, P., Thomas, W. (2011). Friction Stir Welding Technology. In: Moreira, P., da Silva, L., de Castro, P. (eds) Structural Connections for Lightweight Metallic Structures. Advanced Structured Materials, vol 8. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/8611_2011_56

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