Friction stir welding (FSW) is a relatively new solid-state joining process. This joining technique is energy efficient, environment friendly, and versatile. In particular, it can be used to join high-strength aerospace aluminum alloys and other metallic alloys that are hard to weld by conventional fusion welding. FSW is considered to be the most significant development in metal joining in a decade. Recently, friction stir processing (FSP) was developed for microstructural modification of metallic materials. In this review article, the current state of understanding and development of the FSW and FSP are addressed. Particular emphasis has been given to: (a) mechanisms responsible for the formation of welds and microstructural refinement, and (b) effects of FSW/FSP parameters on resultant microstructure and final mechanical properties. While the bulk of the information is related to aluminum alloys, important results are now available for other metals and alloys. At this stage, the technology diffusion has significantly outpaced the fundamental understanding of microstructural evolution and microstructure–property relationships.

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Friction Stir Welding and Processing

Recent advances in friction-stir welding : Process, weldment structure and properties

This article presents an overview of the developments in stainless steels made since the 1990s. Some of the new applications that involve the use of stainless steel are also introduced. A brief introduction to the various classes of stainless steels, their precipitate phases and the status quo of their production around the globe is given first. The advances in a variety of subject areas that have been made recently will then be presented. These recent advances include (1) new findings on the various precipitate phases (the new J phase, new orientation relationships, new phase diagram for the Fe–Cr system, etc.); (2) new suggestions for the prevention/mitigation of the different problems and new methods for their detection/measurement and (3) new techniques for surface/bulk property enhancement (such as laser shot peening, grain boundary engineering and grain refinement). Recent developments in topics like phase prediction, stacking fault energy, superplasticity, metadynamic recrystallisation and the calculation of mechanical properties are introduced, too. In the end of this article, several new applications that involve the use of stainless steels are presented. Some of these are the use of austenitic stainless steels for signature authentication (magnetic recording), the utilisation of the cryogenic magnetic transition of the sigma phase for hot spot detection (the Sigmaplugs), the new Pt-enhanced radiopaque stainless steel (PERSS) coronary stents and stainless steel stents that may be used for magnetic drug targeting. Besides recent developments in conventional stainless steels, those in the high-nitrogen, low-Ni (or Ni-free) varieties are also introduced. These recent developments include new methods for attaining very high nitrogen contents, new guidelines for alloy design, the merits/demerits associated with high nitrogen contents, etc.

Recent developments in stainless steels

A review on selective laser sintering/melting (SLS/SLM) of aluminium alloy powders: Processing, microstructure, and properties

Welding Metallurgy of

In the present investigation, a numerical three-dimensional (3-D) heat flow model for friction stir welding (FSW) has been developed, based on the method of finite differences. The algorithm, which is implemented in MATLAB 5.2, is provided with a separate module for calculation of the microstructure evolution and the resulting hardness distribution. The process model is validated by comparison with in-situ thermocouple measurements and experimental hardness profiles measured at specific time intervals after welding to unravel the strength recovery during natural aging. Furthermore, the grain structure within the plastically deformed region of the as-welded materials has been characterized by means of the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) technique in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Some practical applications of the process model are described toward the end of the article.

Øystein Grong

Papers

A process model for friction stir welding of age hardening aluminum alloys

Modelling of the age hardening behaviour of Al–Mg–Si alloys

Metallurgical modelling of welding

Modelling of non-isothermal transformations in alloys containing a particle distribution

Modelling of the microstructure and strength evolution in Al–Mg–Si alloys during multistage thermal processing