Assessment of Bobbin Friction Stir Welding for the Joining of Aluminium Alloys
Status: Completed
Date Announced: September, 2008
Project reference: 18887
Fixed and floating bobbin welding techniques are novel enhancements to the FSW process. Potential exists to produce improved full penetration welding performance using significantly simplified, and therefore cheaper, equipment. The proposed JIP will develop and assess the welding techniques and demonstrate their advantages by application to a range of aluminium alloys and section thicknesses. The planned work will include process industrialisation, tool design, tool materials, joint quality, fixturing, component tolerance, process repeatability and the production of prototype components.