May 13 - 16, 2008
Gaylord Palms
Orlando, Florida USA

Value-Added Processes

135 VA  
Wednesday, May 14 - 1:45pm

Friction Stir Welding of Aluminum Alloy Extrusion Panels for NZ Navel Inshore Vessel Building

Z.W. Chen, T. Pasang -- CAMTEC, School of Engineering, AUT University, New Zealand
B. Donovan -- Donovan Group, New Zealand
R. Morgan -- Tenix Shipbuilding NZ Ltd., New Zealand

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is frequently utilized on long aluminum AA6082-T6 extrusion panels when building New Zealand Navel inshore vessel superstructures. Extrusion panels friction stir welded by Donovan Group have expanded to commercial boat/yacht building. Adapting FSW for long extrusion panel production is described. An extensive industrial trial and evaluation are highlighted. Inshore vessels featuring FSW panels for their superstructures are presented.