Friction Stir Welding (FSW)

Helping Manufacturers Implement High Quality, Low Cost Welding Solutions

For reliable welding with reduced operating costs, Quad City Manufacturing Laboratory (QCML) helps manufacturers develop and implement Friction Stir Welding processes tailored to their unique application.

Friction stir welding is a solid-phase welding process, meaning it can be used to weld without melting the metal. Instead, heat is produced by the frictional heating between a rotating tool and the metal to be welded. Two metals are plasticized or softened when the rotating tool traverses the length of the joint, welding them together with no consumables, no fumes and low heat input. The hot plastic deformation of the two metals creates a forged-like microstructure with refined grain sizes and smaller heat effected zones, leading to strong, reliable welds.

QCML Friction Stir Welding Capabilities

QCML has the expertise to assist with all stages of the friction stir welding development process and to help navigate the common pitfalls of implementing friction stir welding.

Our expertise includes:

• Weld joint design
• Pin tool design
• Design of required tooling and fixtures
• Process development and qualification in accordance with relevant friction stir welding specifications

Our friction stir welding solutions span a broad spectrum of applications and industries, including:

• Aerospace
• Agriculture
• Automotive/Transportation
• Defense/Government
• General Manufacturing

For Friction Stir Welding processes, we’re equipped to handle a wide range of materials, such as cast aluminum alloys, aluminum alloy plates or extrusions, or thin aluminum alloy sheets. Our friction stir welding solutions also handle high melting temperature materials like steel, stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, titanium, and copper.