Abstract

Friction stir welding is a solid phase welding process that does not melt the metal when welding. The FSW is the most remarkable and potentially useful new welding technique that is still in development. Friction stir butt welding process on 2 mm thick Al 1050 plates by utilizing a milling machine was experimentally studied. With the optimized heat generating tool welds could be achieved that are void and crack free. It was found that the friction stir welded tensile test specimens failed in the HAZ outside of the weld metal, and that the tensile strength was above 90% of that of the base metal.

Keywords

• Friction stir welding (FSW);
• Milling machine;
• Heat generating tool;
• Backing plate