Microstructures and properties of friction stir welded 304 austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid phase joining process which makes use of friction and was developed in 1991 by TWI (The Welding Institute) of Britain.¹ This welding process received attention as a joining process to solve the problems associated with fusion welding of Al alloys and active research into the applications of this technique has been progressed by numerous research institutions, at home and abroad. As a result, this process was made fit for practical use in less than ten years of development and has been applied extensively in the manufacture of aerospace equipments,² rolling stock³ and automobile components.⁴