Friction welding machine for metal
1.2 – 120 mm ESAB

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) has been developed and patented by TWI (The Welding Institute) in Great Britain. We at ESAB are one of the pioneers of the FSW method through our early commitment and work with TWI and we have gained great experience of these practical applications and opportunities. The method is based on forging aluminium components without the temperature exceeding the material’s melting point. This is achieved by the use of a rotating tool that moves along the joint and forges the components together. After being forged, the joints are largely free of stress and have a perfect root surface due to being welded from one side. This results in a minimum of supplementary work. Bending tests and tensile tests have been conducted with superb rigidity and fatigue property results. Using this method means that the completed joint only consists of the original material without any inclusions and impurities. We at ESAB continuously develop methods, which means more and more opportunities for suitable applications arise. With large and more powerful spindle units and improved rotating tools, thicknesses of 1.2 – 120 mm flat plate can be forged with total penetration in our FSW machines today.

Suitable ESAB FSW application area
• Shipbuilding
• Offshore platforms
• Aerospace industry
• Railway wagons, trams, underground train carriages
• Automotive industry
• Brewing industry
• Bridge building
• Production of electric motors
• Defence industry
• Cooling elements

Read more about our standard machines, ESAB LEGIO and our bespoke applications ESAB SuperStir™.