Vol.15, No.2, 2015, pp.111–116
UDC  331.45/.46:621.791

ADVANTAGES OF FRICTION STIR WELDING OVER ARC WELDING WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WORK SAFETY

Darko Veljić1, Aleksandar Sedmak2, Marko Rakin3, Nenad Radović3, Negica Popović1, Horia Daşcău4, Nikola Bajić1

1)IHIS Science & Technology Park, IHIS Techno Experts Research & Development Centre, Belgrade, Serbia

2)University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mech. Engng., Serbia

3)University of Belgrade, Faculty of Techn. and Metallurgy, Serbia, marko@tmf.bg.ac.rs

4)National R&D Institute for Welding and Material ISIM, Timişoara, Romania

Abstract

In modern industrial production, every manufacturing and assembly process should be assessed with respect to its influence on the environment. For a company that invests in a new process, a careful analysis of HSE problems (Health, Safety and Environment) is very important. Friction stir welding (FSW) process offers numerous advantages regarding health protection, environmental effects and work safety in comparison with other welding procedures, such as arc welding. Arc welding produces a broad spectrum of UV radiation, harmful for human health (skin, eyes). Exposure to this radiation without an adequate protection can lead to severe injuries. If appropriate protective measures are undertaken, the welder can easily be exposed to heat injuries. This is especially pronounced for arc welding of aluminium alloys, because high material conductivity of Al requires a high-energy arc, and also because its surface has more pronounced reflection than steel. This work deals with the FSW welding process and its advantages in comparison with arc welding processes with respect to health protection, environmental problems and work safety.

Keywords: welding, friction stir welding, work safety, welder protection

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