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Recent Developments in the Friction Stir Welding of Titanium Alloys

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Abstract

This paper describes recent developments in the joining of titanium alloys using Friction Stir Welding (FSW). Titanium alloys represent an extremely challenging application for FSW, due to their high strength, high melting point, and very low thermal conductivity. Recent work at TWI has resulted in the invention of a new variant of FSW, named Stationary Shoulder Friction Stir Welding (SSFSW), which has been specifically designed for the joining of high temperature, low conductivity, materials. This paper describes the new SSFSW approach, and shows examples of the significantly improved results which are now being achieved in the joining of titanium alloys. Samples of butt and lap welds in Ti-6Al-4V are shown, produced using both 1D and 2D welding paths. Examples are also included which demonstrate the potential for additive manufacture of Ti parts by multiple SSFSW. The ongoing development of SSFSW offers the potential for a new joining and/or additive manufacturing process for Ti alloys, which may result in significant technical and economic advantages.

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References

  1. Thomas W.M., Nicholas E.D., et al.: Improvements relating to Friction Welding, European Patent Specification 0 615 480 B1, December 1991.

  2. Threadgill P.L., Nunn M.E.: A Review of Friction Stir Welding: Part 1 Process Overview, TWI Members Report MR760/2003, Feb 2003.

  3. Russell M.J.: Friction Stir Welding of Ti Alloys — A Progress Update, Ti-2003, 10th World Conference on Titanium, 2003, Hamburg, Germany.

  4. Russell M.J., Blignault C.: Recent developments in Friction Stir Welding of Ti alloys, Proc. 6th Int. Symp. on Friction Stir Welding, Paper 14, 10–13 Oct 2006, Saint-Sauveur, Quebec, Canada.

  5. British Standards Institute: BS 1134–2:1990: Assessment of surface texture — Guidance and general information, 31 July 1990.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. World Centre for Materials Joining Technology, TWI Ltd., UK

    M. J. Russell, C. Blignault, N. L. Horrex & C. S. Wiesner

Authors
  1. M. J. Russell
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  2. C. Blignault
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  3. N. L. Horrex
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  4. C. S. Wiesner
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Russell, M.J., Blignault, C., Horrex, N.L. et al. Recent Developments in the Friction Stir Welding of Titanium Alloys. Weld World 52, 12–15 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03266662

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03266662

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