FRICTION STIR WELDING OF STAINLESS STEELS – REVIEW.

After development of tungsten alloys and polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) tools, lot of progress is made in FSW of stainless steel. Although some issues remain to be solved, satisfactory welds are produced and weld properties are found suitable for the intended applications. This paper summarizes the progress of research work on Friction stir welding of different types of stainless steels. It covers the research made in the selection of suitable tool materials, optimizing the process parameters such as tool travel speed, rotational speed, tilt angle etc. The influence of Friction stir welding on microstructure and mechanical properties of welds has also been reviewed.