Friction Stir Welding
(FSW) is a solid state welding process where a machine rotates, plunges, and then traverses a special shaped FSW Tool along a joint to form a weld. The rotation action and the specific geometry of the FSW tool generates friction and mechanical working of the material which in turn generate the heat and the mixing necessary to transport material from one side of the joint line to the other. The process has numerous advantages over other joining technologies and can be used to weld numerous materials including, but not limited to aluminum, bronze, copper, titanium, steel, magnesium, and plastic.Introduction by Key to Metals Friction stir welding (FSW) is a relatively new joining process that is presently attracting considerable interest. Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a patented welding process that was invented by the Welding Institute (TWI) in Cambridge, UK in 1991. Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid state welding process where a machine rotates, plunges, and then traverses a special shaped FSW tool along a joint to form a weld. The rotation action and the specific geometry of the FSW tool generates friction and mechanical working of the material which in turn generate the heat and the mixing necessary to transport material from one side of the joint line to the other. The process has numerous advantages over other joining technologies and can be used to weld numerous materials including, but not limited to aluminum, bronze, copper, titanium, steel, magnesium, and plastic.