Bobbin Tool Friction Stir Welding – An Overview

Abstract

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a relatively new technique invented for the joining aluminium alloys. There are two main types of FSW tools: classical one-side tools applied already in production and self-reacting otherwise known as bobbin tools being in development phase. Further development of FSW bobbin tool technology can increase the flexibility of the FSW process as well as meet new demands made by industry.
Autor: Tomasz Neumann

1. INTRODUCTION

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a relatively new technique for joining aluminium alloys invented and patented by The Welding Institute [1]. Friction stir welding is a solid-state thermo mechanical joining process, where a non-consumable rotating tool moves along the joint between two components to produce high quality butt or lap welds. There are two main types of FSW tools: classical one-side tools with pin and shoulder and both side of joint bobbin tools.

The development of classical FSW allowed applying the process in production in following industries: aerospace, shipbuilding and marine, railway, land transportation and others. FSW has found so many fields of application because of simplicity, excellent mechanical properties and low distortion, which are attributed to the low heat input and the absence of melting.