Please use the link below to find out more about the IFWC and to register.

http://www.ifwc.com  

About the International Friction Welding Conference (IFWC)

The International Friction Welding Conference (IFWC) is a newly combined international event created to bring together researchers, engineers and industry professionals with a shared interest in friction welding technologies.

For the first time, IFWC unites two well-established events:

• International Symposium on Friction Stir Welding (FSW) 
• Linear Friction Welding Symposium (LFW) 

The IFWC builds upon more than two decades of history:

The first International Symposium on Friction Stir Welding was held in California in 1999. It attracted over 140 delegates and 30 papers and marked the world’s first event dedicated to friction stir welding. Since then, the symposium has been held in several other countries, including France, Japan, Canada and the UK. The most recent event, the 13th International Symposium on Friction Stir Welding, was held in Kyoto, Japan, in 2024.

Cohort at the 13th International Symposium on Friction Stir Welding in Kyoto, 2024

The first Linear Friction Welding symposium was held in 2011 and, in total, 5 events were held until the most recent in 2019. Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the symposium has not been held for 6 years, but the IFWC will change that with a revival of this event.

These symposia have consistently provided a platform for ground-breaking research and industrial applications, including:

• Early adoption of friction stir welding in aerospace, including space vehicle fuel tanks (e.g., Boeing Delta programme).
• Development of stationary shoulder FSW, robotic welding of complex 3D components, and hybrid joining processes.
• Application of dovetailing and advanced dissimilar material joining techniques.

Cohort at the 4th Linear Friction Welding Symposium held at TWI, Cambridge, UK in 2017

Notable Contributing Organisations

Past symposia have benefited from the contributions and participation of leading companies and research organisations, including:

• Boeing – Aerospace applications and space vehicle fuel tanks.
• Airbus – Aerospace structures and fuselage applications.
• NASA – Research into advanced joining for space applications.
• General Motors – Automotive applications and lightweight structures.
• Rail Industry Leaders – Friction stir welded rail car body fabrication.
• ESA (European Space Agency) – Propellant tank and spacecraft structures.
• Fraunhofer IWS – Advanced materials and modelling research.
• Osaka University (JWRI) – Fundamental and applied research in friction welding and linear friction welding.
• National Research Council Canada – Aerospace manufacturing technology.
• TWI Ltd – Founders of the symposium series and inventors of friction stir welding.

What to Expect at IFWC

• Comprehensive Technical Coverage – rotary friction welding, linear friction welding, friction stir welding, friction stir processing, and emerging applications.
• Cross-Disciplinary Exchange – structured networking opportunities, including shared coffee breaks, lunches and a joint social event.
• Global Representation – delegates from aerospace, automotive, rail, marine, energy and academic sectors.

Why Attend?

• Engage with Industry Leaders – gain insights from internationally recognised researchers and practitioners.
• Access the Latest Research – learn about the most recent developments in friction welding technologies and applications.
• Build Valuable Connections – expand your professional network and establish collaborations for future innovation.
• Understand Emerging Trends – explore how friction-based joining techniques are shaping the future of manufacturing.

Be Part of the Future of Friction Welding

By combining the strengths of the Friction Stir Welding and Linear Friction Welding symposia, IFWC offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect, collaborate and contribute to the advancement of friction welding technologies.

Whether you are an established specialist or new to the field, IFWC provides a trusted environment to exchange knowledge, develop partnerships and shape the next generation of manufacturing processes.