Friction Stir Welding of Al 2024-T351 Using a Self-Reacting Bobbin Tool

The transportation industry is faced with a demand to reduce fuel consumption and consequently the emission of CO2. One way to achieve this is to reduce the weight of the vehicle. Aerospace, automotive and railway industries using aluminium alloys for their products require new joining methods fulfilling their specific technological demands. As not all of the aluminium alloys can be successfully joined by conventional fusion welding alternative methods are needed. Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technology, which takes place at temperatures below the melting point offers a cost effective alternative to conventional joining methods and has already proved itself in the industry. There are two main types of FSW tools: conventional single-side tools and self-reacting ones, otherwise known as bobbin tools. In most cases, the single-sided FSW requires special, heavy machines. The use of self-reacting units such as a bobbin-tool can reduce the system requirements. Another advantage of the bobbin tool technology over the single-sided
FSW is the feasible application in tubular structures and hollow profiles, widely used in the above-mentioned industries.