CHAPTER 1

1.1 Introduction: Friction stir welding is a solid-state joining technique used for joining of
two similar or dissimilar metals. It was invented at The Welding Institute (TWI) of the United
Kingdom in 1991. In FSW a non consumable, cylindrical rotating tool with a specially
designed probe and shoulder is inserted into the abutting edges of plates to be joined and
subsequently traversed along the joint line. Frictional heat is generated between the wear
resistant welding tool and the material of the work pieces. The heat causes the materials to
soften, without reaching melting point (typically in the range of 7085% of the melting
temperature), and allows the pin to traverse along the joint. As the tool moves along, the
material is plasticized by the frictional heat at the front of the rotating pin and transported to
the back. In FSW tool rotates in the counterclockwise direction and travels into the page (or
left to right).
FSW process is shown in Fig. 1.1. The advancing side is on the right, where the tool
rotation direction is the same as the tool travel direction (opposite the direction of metal
flow), and the retreating side is on the left, where the tool rotation is opposite the tool travel
direction (parallel to the direction of metal flow).

Fig. 1.1 Schematic drawing of friction stirs welding