Technical Paper
Reducing Cycle Times of Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding in Automotive Aluminum Alloys
2020-04-14
2020-01-0224
A major barrier, preventing RFSSW from use by manufacturers, is the long cycle time that has been historically associated with making a weld. In order for RFSSW to become a readily implementable welding solution, cycle times must be reduced to an acceptable level, similar to that of well developed, competing spot joining processes. In the present work, an investigation of the RFSSW process is conducted to evaluate factors that have traditionally prevented the process from achieving fast cycle times. Within this investigation, the relationship between cycle time and joint quality is explored, as is the meaning and measurement of cycle time in the RFSSW process. Claims and general sentiment found in prior literature are challenged regarding the potential for high-speed RFSSW joints to be made.