Process definition:

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Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSpW) is a solid-state welding process for overlapping sheet metals in which a three-part tool, consisting of a rotating pin and sleeve and a non-rotating downholder, penetrates the sheets and stirs the material in such a way that a solid bond between them is formed. By refilling the material back into the joint zone, a smooth surface of the sheet compound can be restored.  

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Applications:

• overlap sheet joints with upper sheet sizes 0,5 mm … 3 mm

• material combinations Al/Al, Mg/Al, Al/Fe, Mg/Fe, etc.

• suitable for automotive, aeronautic, astronautic and railway applications

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Advantages:

• very good strength (fatigue, peeling, tensile shear, etc.)

• high reproducibility of process

• short welding cycles

• different sheet metal thicknesses can be welded by the same tool with adapted welding programs

• all advantages of friction welding also hold for FSpW