T. Nelson, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Technology improvements and new process innovations in friction stir welding (FSW) of high temperature materials (HTM) opens the potential to broader application. Improvements in the wear resistance and fracture toughness of PCBN tooling continue to enhance the feasibility of FSW of HTM in a variety of materials. More significantly, new developments in process application, such as underwater FSW of steels and stainless steels, and FSW equipment for joining linepipe steels in oil and gas transportation, have expanded the potential of this innovative manufacturing technology. Innovated developments in FSW welding equipment has made feasible interior and exterior FSW of steel piping. FSW of linepipe for oil and gas transmission offers improved weld quality, reliability, reproducibility and the ability to joining higher strength linepipe steels. Weld demonstrations and resulting weld microstructures and mechanical properties of underwater FSW and linepipe FSW in steels will be presented.
Summary: Technology improvements and new process innovations in friction stir welding (FSW) of high temperature materials (HTM) opens the potential to broader application. Improvements in the wear resistance and fracture toughness of PCBN tooling continue to enhance the feasibility of FSW of HTM in a variety of materials. More significantly, new developments in process application, such as underwater FSW of steels and stainless steels, and FSW equipment for joining linepipe steels in oil and gas transportation, have expanded the potential of this innovative manufacturing technology. Innovated developments in FSW welding equipment has made feasible interior and exterior FSW of steel piping. FSW of linepipe for oil and gas transmission offers improved weld quality, reliability, reproducibility and the ability to joining higher strength linepipe steels. Weld demonstrations and resulting weld microstructures and mechanical properties of underwater FSW and linepipe FSW in steels will be presented.
