Considerations for Tungsten Carbide as Tooling in RFSSW.

Tool wear is a key issue for the manufacturing performance of refill friction stir spot welding in high-volume manufacturing environments. As such, the aim of this study is to examine conditions in which tungsten carbide with a cobalt binder can succeed as a tool material in the spot welding of 2029 aluminum for a sustained lifetime. Critical factors are shown herein to include cleanliness and thermal management.