Friction stir welding: A sustainable manufacturing process

Abstract Sustainable manufacturing aims at the effective and efficient utilization of resources and energy with minimum impact on the environment. Sustainable manufacturing includes enforcing energy-efficient and eco-friendly manufacturing techniques. Welding is an important manufacturing process that is used to fabricate complex structures. Fusion welding involves the use of consumables in the form of filler materials, electrode coatings, shielding gases, or fluxes leading to the formation of hazardous fumes which have a serious impact on both environment and human health. Friction stir welding (FSW) being a solid-phase joining process is regarded as one of the energies efficient and eco-friendly manufacturing processes and is so-called green manufacturing technology as it ensures no emission of harmful gasses or radiations to the environment. FSW has found its applications in various areas including aerospace, locomotives, marines, automobiles and so more. This paper explores the sustainability manufacturing characteristics of the FSW process and explains in detail the potential benefit of FSW in various industries in the future subjected to its characteristics of energy-efficient and environment friendliness.