What is the friction stir welding process?

Friction stir welding is a solid state welding process without the need for filler metal. This technique is more commonly known as FSW for Friction Stir Welding. This breakthrough technology was invented and patented in 1991 by The Welding Institute (TWI).
As its name indicates, the FSW process consists in obtaining a weld by combining heating and mixing thanks to the rotation of the tool. The heat necessary for welding is obtained by the constant friction of the tool shoulder on the parts to be welded. The tool pin ensures the mixing of the material brought to a pasty state. It thus plastically deforms the material by penetrating the parts to be welded.
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