Dissimilar friction-stir welding of aluminum and polymer: a review

Newly, linear friction-stir welding (FSW) was introduced and implemented as a very effective and emerging solid-state technology for the dissimilar joining of metals and non-metals such as polymers. This kind of joint design is very interesting for structural applications especially in the case of the automotive industry. In this regard, several combinations of materials in terms of metals (mainly focused on aluminum) and polymers (mostly thermoplastic compounds) were assessed in two joint designs as butt and lap in terms of processing parameters optimization, microstructural features, interfacial bonding, and mechanical behavior. This systematic review article deals with overviewing the previous studies on this specific object to categorize the existing knowledge and open some new windows for future developments.