How does Friction Stir Welding work? Basically, by forcing together pieces to be joined in such a way that when a high axial force is applied through a rotating pin tool, frictional heat is created at the interface, bonding the pieces together into one part.
Pieces to be joined are aligned in a Friction Stir Welding machine, then clamped into a stationary position. When the rotating pin tool reaches a predetermined speed, it’s axially plunged into the work pieces, creating frictional heat at the interface.
As the material softens, the pin tool continues to axially move into the pieces, expelling flash material from the interface. Once the pin tool reaches the proper depth, the pin tool shoulder contacts the material surfaces, generating frictional heat under the tool’s shoulder. While maintaining part contact, the pin tool moves through the work pieces, softening the material along its path.
The material is swept from the leading edge of the pin tool to the trailing portion, where it is reconsolidated into the weld trough. After the programmed weld path is complete, the pin tool is moved to a non-critical area of the workpiece, where it is then extracted from the part.