What does FSW stand for?

FSW stands for Friction Stir Welding, a widely used solid-state joining process that joins materials without melting them. Instead, a rotating tool generates frictional heat to soften the material along the joint line, then stirs and forges it into a solid, continuous bond.

Unlike traditional welding, FSW creates a stronger, tougher bond without the defects often associated with arc welding, such as porosity or cracking. It was initially developed for welding aluminum alloys but has since been successfully applied to other materials, including copper and titanium. FSW is now used across industries like aerospace, automotive, rail, and shipbuilding where high-strength, low-distortion welds are essential.