FRICTION SURFACING USING CONSUMABLE TOOLS: A REVIEW

The friction surfacing technique is a new variation of friction stir welding process for modification of the surface properties of the substrate. There is a growing body of literature dealing with friction surfacing by consumable tool. This is a metallic deposition technique in which a rotating consumable tool deposits material onto a solid substrate. Friction surfacing has many applications in welding, coating, repair of defective components, hard surfacing and corrosion protection. This process does not generate high temperatures; therefore this technique is a suitable coating method capable of joining low melting point alloys. This review paper studies the basic principles and the use of friction surfacing as well as a survey of the latest researches and applications with emphasis on superficial and microstructural characterization, tensile, bending, effects of the different process factors such as axial force, rotation and travel speed, material deposition rate, energy consumption and different tool types. This review shows there are a few investigations dealing with novel tool/workpiece configurations for adding material for purposes other than coating, such as keyhole filling or dissimilar material joining. Also, the possible future directions for development and application of this technique are presented.