Development of friction stir welding technology of low-carbon steel plates

The purpose of this study is to develop recommendations for low-carbon steel (0,18% C) products assembling technology using friction stir welding. Relevant information on the status of friction stir welding of low-carbon steels is presented and an analysis of existing articles is carried out. Experiments on joining plates of 4 mm thick by using the tool of different geometry are conducted. It was found that the optimum temperature when joining using WC tool is 800–950 °C. The sound welds is manufactured when using a conical pin at a tool rotation speed 500 rpm and a traverse feed rate 50 mm/min with a plunging depth of 0,05–0,1 mm and an axial force of 15–18 kN.