Imperfections in friction stir welded zones and their precision non-destructive testing. Studies on characteristics of friction stir welded joints in structural thin aluminium alloys

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate various characteristics of thin aluminium alloy structural plate joints welded by the friction stir welding (FSW) process. A number of reports have been published concerning these characteristics. Most of these reports concern joints made by the relevant company's unique procedures using selected parent materials; consequently, the joints were made under restricted specified conditions. Accordingly, for this study, welded joints were produced by combinations of identical alloy base metals manufactured by several companies using the friction stir welding process with procedures which are unique to each individual company; an investigation was carried out into a variety of characteristics whilst attention was paid to the differences due to variations in the base metal and welding procedures.