Thu, 25 May, 2023
We are excited to announce that TWI achieved a groundbreaking milestone in friction stir welding of steel.
As part of its RESURGAM Project, which aims to develop steel friction stir welding techniques for the shipbuilding, marine, and offshore industries, TWI has successfully demonstrated the application of simultaneous double-sided friction stir welding (SDS-FSW) for steel fabrication.
This revolutionary development brings forth a myriad of advantages and unlocks new possibilities in the realm of welding technology.
Some key benefits of SDS-FSW include:
- Increased weldable steel thickness: Utilising two 12mm FSW tools, it becomes possible to weld steel up to 24mm thick
- Elimination of root defects: The technique effectively eliminates the occurrence of root defects in the weld
- Enhanced production rates: With SDS-FSW, a component only needs to be fixed once, leading to increased production rates
- Uniform weld properties: The more even heat input to the weld zone ensures greater uniformity in weld properties
- Reduced distortion: SDS-FSW further minimizes distortion during the welding process
This breakthrough technique is anticipated to have significant applications in various sectors, including the construction of stiffened panels for shipbuilding and civil engineering, the production of seam-welded pipes, the joining of pipes for pipeline fabrication, and the manufacturing of wind turbine towers.
TWI's successful implementation of SDS-FSW within the RESURGAM project exemplifies their commitment to driving innovation and advancing welding technologies to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
The RESURGAM project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101007005