• Friction Spot Welding (FSpW)

Friction Spot Welding (FSpW) is a joining technique taking the advantages of a solid state welding process to overcome the common problems encountered in resistance spot welding, such as the weld contamination. The present study has investigated the influence on the static performance of FSpW lap joints varying some geometrical parameters. 1.6mm-thick AA2198-T8 aluminium alloy plates were welded using the process parameters that give the maximum lap shear strength. The investigated geometrical variables are the pitch between spots (Ls) and the distance from the plate edge (Lb) in three and two spots configurations. Optical strain analysis by mean of Digital Image Correlation technique has carried out and a finite element model has been developed to study the mechanical behaviour of the joint and absolve the aim of the work. Higher number of spots is always beneficial but heavier joints and longer production times are the main disadvantages. Lb and Ls seem to not have a great influence on the static performance making the choice of small values of these parameters the best option to save weight and obtain relative strong joints.