FSW (Friction Stir Welding) and RFSSW (Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding) joints have been increasingly used in industrial practice. They successfully replace fusion-welded, riveted or resistance-welded joints. In the last two decades, dynamic development of this method has stimulated investigations of the fast methods for joint diagnostics. These methods should be non-destructive and easy to be used in technological processes. The methods of assessment of joint quality are expected to detect discontinuities in the structures welded using FSW and FSSW methods. Reliable detection of flaws would substantially extend the range of applications of FSW joints across many sectors of industry, including aviation. The investigations carried out in this paper allowed for characterization of defects present in FSW and RFSSW joints. Causes of these defects were also stressed. An overview of the methodologies for assessment of joint quality was presented. Results of assessment of the quality of joints made of 2024T6 aluminium sheet metal using FSW and RFSSW method were presented.

The paper presents the results of research on the microstructure of martensitic X10CrMoVNb9-1 (P91) and X13CrMoCo- VNbNB9-2-1 (PB2) steel subject to long-term ageing at the temperature of 620°C and holding times up to 30 000 hours. The microstructural tests of the examined steel types were performed using a scanning microscope Joel JSM - 6610LV and a transmission electron microscope TITAN 80 - 300. The stability of the microstructure of the investigated steels was analyzed using a quantitative analysis of an image, including measurements of the following: the density of dislocations inside martensite/subgrain laths, the width of martensite laths, and the mean diameter of precipitates. It has been concluded that during long-term ageing, the microaddition of boron in PB2 steel significantly influenced the slowing of the process of degradation of the martensitic steel microstructure, as a result of slowing the process of coagulation of M₂₃C₆ carbides and Laves phase. It had a favorable effect on the stabilization of lath microstructure as a result of retardation of the processes of recovery and polygonization of the matrix.

The electron beam welding process of titanium alloys induces a series of physicochemical changes in the material that remain a relevant and necessary area of investigation. A necessary step performed after the electron beam welding process of titanium alloys in the Ti6Al-4V grade to mitigate the resulting thermal stresses is the post-weld heat-treatment process conducted through stress relieving. This study presents the comparative analysis results of the mechanical properties and structure of the Ti6Al-4V titanium alloy after electron beam welding and subsequent stress-relieving heat treatment at a temperature of 590 °C for 2 h. The analysis focused on the levels of mechanical properties such as microhardness in the heat-affected zone and weld, tensile strength, and microstructure analysis in the heat-affected zone and weld. The aim of the research was to answer the questions regarding whether the post-weld heat treatment through stress relieving after electron beam welding of the Ti6Al-4V titanium alloy would significantly affect the changes in mechanical properties and microstructure of the alloy and whether the applied welding speed in the study would cause a significant depletion of alloying elements in the material. During the course of the study, it was found that conducting the electron beam welding process at a speed of 8 mm/s resulted in a depletion of one of the alloying elements (aluminum) in the face area. However, the decrease in aluminum content was not significant and did not exceed the critical value of 6% specified in the material standards, which determined the material’s application based on its strength properties.

The study presents the results of examinations of wear in tools made of 1.2344 steel without and with an anti-wear coating in the process of welding overlap joints of sheet metal made of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy using friction stir welding (FSW) technology. A commercial anti-wear AlCrN coating (Balinit^® Alcrona Pro by Oerlikon Balzers Coating Poland Sp. z o.o., Polkowice, Poland) was examined, applied using physical vapor deposition (PVD) and used to improve tool life in metalworking processes. Wear tests for the tools were conducted in industrial conditions at specific parameters of the friction stir welding process. Tool wear was evaluated through examination of the tool working surface. The results of the static tensile strength tests and metallographic examinations of the joints were used to evaluate the effect of tool wear and the coating impact on joint quality. The results obtained in the study show that the tool made of 1.2344 steel was intensively worn after the welding of a joint with the length of 200 m, increasing the risk associated with further use of the tool and suggesting the tool’s low durability. The use of the AlCrN coating led to an increase in tool life. The coating limits the process of tool wear and can be used as an anti-wear coating for tools used in the FSW of aluminum alloys.