Friction stir welding of ferritic steels

Work carried out by welding research organisation TWI has shown that ferrous metals can now be joined by friction stir welding (FSW). TWI says that recent development work has produced metre-long welds in ferritic steel.

FSW uses a non-consumable rotating probe moving along the joint line to create a high quality butt or lap weld. Since it is a solid-state process, FSW can be used to make welds in a wide range of metals and alloys, including those which cannot be joined by conventional arc welding.

A group-sponsored project at TWI will evaluate the process for steels, and investigate both technical and economic issues. The programme is designed to optimise tool designs and process parameters, and establish the service performance of welds and tools, says TWI.

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