Eco Friendly Aspects in Hybridization of Friction Stir Welding Technology for Dissimilar Metallic Materials

Friction stir welding (FSW) is one of the green manufacturing technologies since it produces minimum emissions to the environment. However, the sustainability of the technology is heightened by the hybridization of the process using an external heat source in specific to the welding of dissimilar combination of materials. Although the auxiliary heat source is not eco-friendly always, it minimizes the environmental impact due to hybridization of FSW process when using the source of energy from conventional fusion welding processes. The hybrid FSW processes improve the weld joint efficiency and the evolving mechanical and microstructural properties of the welded joint. The present state-of-the-art literature review depicts the eco-friendliness of hybrid FSW in two aspects: computer model of the process and intervention of the hybridization for dissimilar metallic materials. The improvement in weld joint strength, saving in power, enhancement of tool life and microstructure modification of the weld joint i.e., the economical aspect due to hybridization of classic FSW process by using a secondary energy source is the primary focus of the analysis.