24th Annual Student Research Conference
Friction Stir Welding: Welding Without Melting
Jordan B. Griffith
Dr. Eduardo Velasco, Faculty Mentor
Conventional welding techniques involve melting two or more pieces of metal to fabricate a single piece of metal. Friction stir welding forgoes melting metals to join them; instead this welding method employs friction to join two metals, usually aluminum, together. To generate the friction needed to weld metals together, a pin is simultaneously rotated and moved along the joint of the two metals, effectively stirring the metals. During this process the metals are softened, but not melted; thus the materials are not joined together as a result of a phase change. In addition to discussing the underlying physics of the process of friction stir welding, I will also discuss the advantages of using this process in lieu of welding techniques that rely on melting to join two materials and how friction stir welding is used in industry, specifically the transportation industry.
Keywords: engineering, welding
Topic(s):Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 40-3
Location: MG 1096
Time: 3:15