Review of Joining Various Materials by FSW Process and Applications

Abstract

Welding is necessary in industries like light and heavy-duty manufacturing, construction, automotive, aerospace, maintenance, repair works, etc. Friction stir welding (FSW) is a recently created welding technique that is employed with a non-consumable pin in all of the above-mentioned production areas. The cross-sectional size and shapes of the pin are also showing a great impact on the properties of the joints. This review article begins with the history of welding methods and it covers the topics of welding evolution, principle, joining of similar and dissimilar materials using FSW, applications and defects, as well as the various process factors in managing the qualities of the welded joint. The necessity of FSW is inevitable as it shows a good response of the mechanical properties with solid state temperature. It is a versatile welding process that has the capacity to join numerous materials, beginning with aluminium alloys and moving on to magnesium alloys, steel, composites, polymers, and dissimilar metals combinations.