THE PRESENT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF FRICTION STIR WELDING IN AERONAUTICS

Viliam Sinka

doi:10.12776/ams.v20i3.312

Abstract

Since its invention friction stir welding as a solid state joining method was considered primarily for aluminium alloys in the aerospace industry. Years of intense research and development were necessary to introduce the process for fabrication of aerospace components. It was necessary to accumulate sufficient information about process parameters, tooling and machinery for process specification, certification and design allowables. Friction stir welding was first used in space vehicles and in military aircraft, later it was used in civil aviation. Aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer use this technique for components such as floor panels, fuselage panels, and wing ribs among others. This process allows for the introduction of new structural solutions in the same way that the development of advanced alloys also permits similar advances.

Highlights

The process of friction stir welding (FSW) was invented by W
The plasticized material of the joint area is intermixed by the pin while the shoulder of the tool produces a smooth surface along its path
2 Thermo-mechanical characteristics of the process The heat generated by the friction of the tool along with the energy release caused by plastic strain increases the temperature in the joint area to about 70-90% of the melting point resulting in a high degree of plasticization

Summary

Introduction

1 Introduction The process of friction stir welding (FSW) was invented by W. The plasticized material of the joint area is intermixed by the pin while the shoulder of the tool produces a smooth surface along its path. 2 Thermo-mechanical characteristics of the process The heat generated by the friction of the tool along with the energy release caused by plastic strain increases the temperature in the joint area to about 70-90% of the melting point resulting in a high degree of plasticization.

Results

Conclusion