Our specialist technology centre, the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) is home to two rotary friction welding machines, the biggest of their kind in any UK research centre and is working with industrial partners to explore its many benefits.

For this NMIS Insights we are joined by Rolls-Royce to discuss RFW in more detail, focusing on the advantages and opportunities that it can provide, particularly for the nuclear manufacturing community, but also welding and joining technical experts, small engineering firms and mechanical and aerospace engineers.

What is rotary friction welding?

Rotary friction welding (RFW) is a solid-state joining process that works by rotating one workpiece relative to another while under a compressive axial force.

Why nuclear?

The safety nozzles in pressurised water reactor (PWR) nuclear plants are currently made from dissimilar steel fusion welds that are susceptible to residual stresses and corrosion.

Through our research we have identified excellent potential for RFW within the nuclear sector thanks to:

• limited detrimental metallurgical impact
• reduced defects
• lower residual stress

What we’ll cover

Laurie Da Silva and Ioannis Violatos (both NMIS-AFRC) will detail how this alternative manufacturing approach can enhance the efficiency of the joining process and the quality of the resultant joint. they will be joined by Richard March from Rolls-Royce who will set the scene from industry. 

Speakers