TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 714/2000
T L Dickerson and J Przydatek
Background
Normally friction stir welds are flaw-free by using welding conditions within specified tolerances. If the welding parameters are set deliberately outside the optimised tolerance, it is possible that welding flaws are produced eg the lack of bond consolidation in the root of a single-sided weld which has not been properly heated and stirred.
Producing flaw-free welds and, more particularly, demonstrating that they are flaw-free, has associated costs. It is not always possible to assume that welds are flaw-free. Hence, the properties of welds containing flaws are needed to enhance the confidence in the design and application of friction stir welded joints.
Objective
- To determine the effect of root flaws on the static and fatigue performance of friction stir welds made from one side.