Steel and aluminum automotive sheet joined by spot welding.(WELDING/JOINING)

Advanced Materials & Processes,  August, 2005  

Tags: aluminum, Ford Motor Co., steel

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The world's first friction stir welding (FSW) direct spot joining technology to join steel and aluminum has been announced by Mazda Motor Corp., div. Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich. Up to now, welding two different metals such as steel and aluminum has been a difficult task. However, by optimizing the FSW rotating tool shape and joining characteristics, and by using galvanized steel on one side, joining steel and aluminum has been made possible.

The process is similar to that of joining two pieces of aluminum, when a joining gun holds the parts from both sides with a welding tool. ...

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