Which tool to choose?
FSW TOOLS
Our commitment : to provide you the right solution for every pieces and materials.
For FSW, the weld quality is inseparable from the geometry and quality of the tool. The tool choice has a direct impact on the lifetime and weld quality.
Thanks to the FSW experience of his team, StirWeld offers you the most suitable tool for your use by combining quality, price and reliability.
FSW Stirweld tools are robust and powerful for a controlled cost. Discover our range of FSW tools :
FSW TOOL HIGH STRENGTH ALUMINIUM
FSW TOOLS STANDARD ALUMINIUM
FSW TOOLS ALUMINIUM SILICON
FSW STIRWELD TOOL HOLDER
FSW Tools Structure
The FSW tool consists of a shoulder to heat the material by friction and a pin to stir the components. These two parts are essential elements to guarantee the good mixing of the material and the defect free welding.
The shoulder
is placed on the surface of the welded parts. Thus, it slices on the material and creates the necessary friction heat to “soften” the pieces (about 400 °C into aluminum). The metallurgical phenomenon is close to that of extrusion. In addition, because of its shape and size, the shoulder confines the material and prevents it from leaving the stirring area.
The pin enters into the welded parts
Thanks to its shape, it both heats the material by shearing effect and ensures the mixing of the material despite the presence of aluminum oxide on the parts. Therefore, the choice of a tool adapted to the materials associated with qualified welding parameters close the material behind the tool path, crush the aluminum oxide and give a irreproachable weld.
Tool impact on the mechanical strength of the weld
The strong stirring of the material by the pin and the heat generated by the shoulder cause a phenomenon of recrystallization into the aluminum. This results in the precipitation of fine grains that contributes to the high mechanical strength of FSW welds.
Would like to know more?
FSW TOOLS
Download our case study in PDF file
PHD Laurent Dubourg
6th FSW Symposium – Tool Review
Our tools can weld all part configurations :
- Butt weld (similar or dissimilar thicknesses)
- Lap weld
- T-shape (or welding an internal angle through the top surface)
Which FSW tool shall I choose?
We help you to pick up the right one
What is the lifetime of FSW tools?
FSW tools are solicited in two ways :
- Cyclic fatigue at the base of the pin causing premature failure. This fatigue is due to the drag force as the tool moves into the material. The drag force is particularly high into high UTS aluminum alloys (type 7xxx, Al-Cu-Li or aluminium on steel), very demanding for tools.
- Abrasive wear on the entire tool by friction into the welded material. This stress causes a wear of the shapes guaranteeing a good stirring of the material (spiral on the shoulder, length and threads of the pin).
Depending on the material, we have developed FSW tools with a lifetime higher than 1500 m. To meet these requirements, we have designed a test bench to optimize the geometry of the tools and their composition and heat treatment.
What do clients think of STIRWELD?
“The most important thing for our welds is first of all to find the right parameters, we have made several sets of hundreds of parts with Stirweld FSW tools, the welds are clean, reliable and reproductable.”
“Already users of FSW technology for the manufacture of our Cobawheels rims, we chose to install Stirweld’s FSW head on the existing machine to develop new FSW applications at lower cost.”
StirWeld : your FSW tools supplier
Quality commitment
Our FSW tools undergo a demanding quality control and a optimized heat treatment guarantees the consistency of their mechanical properties.
The design of our tools is the result of 15 years of research.
Stirweld is a supplier of the most demanding customers in the aerospace, aeronautics and automotive sectors, with catalogue tools or tailor-made tools (Stirweld support during design-to-build phases).
Easy to use
We made the choice of standardized attachments using the Whistle Notch system. This solution results in quick tool positioning and removal. The axial position is guaranteed and the risk of tool holder damage during tool change is canceled.
Discover in image below the simplicity of our tool setting up.
Tailer-made tools
Stirweld guarantees the perfect confidentiality of the tool geometries developed for customers and systematically signs a non disclosure agreement.
FSW TOOL HIGH STRENGTH ALUMINIUM
FSW TOOLS STANDARD ALUMINIUM
FSW TOOLS ALUMINIUM SILICON
FSW STIRWELD TOOL HOLDER
Traceability
Each Stirweld FSW tool has an ID for strict identification. It is therefore possible to:
- know precisely the tool metric, thanks to the workshop register
- identify with the tool type and the nature of the welds for which it is intended.
Cost
Our tools are mass-produced to reduce the unit cost.
Stock
We have the most current references in stock to offer you an express delivery within 48 hours.
Download our catalogue FSW Tools
Robust and powerful tools for a controlled cost