About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Fundamentals of Sustainable Metallurgy and Processing of Materials
|
| Presentation Title |
Friction Stir Welding of Powder-Fused Polymers to Metal for Sustainable Automobile Production |
| Author(s) |
Liam Savona |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Liam Savona |
| Abstract Scope |
The development of modern AM technologies has transformed the automotive industry in the last decade. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) has become a premier AM technique thanks to its capacity to print complex geometries and compatibility with tough materials like polyamide (PA). PA is commonly used in automotive applications due to its tensile strength: engine covers, intake manifolds, and fuel pipes are all commonly cast in PA. Literature suggests the viability of friction Stir Welding (FSW)—a fast, environmentally favorable joining technique—with polymers, and combining FSW with SLS technology can reveal sustainable solutions in automotive manufacturing. This type of dissimilar welding between powder-fused polymers and aluminum represents an unexplored avenue for research, and could help mitigate the need for metal fasteners and reduce total weight. The aim of this study is to optimize this technique, in order to decrease fuel consumption and material waste in the automotive industry. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Powder Materials, Polymers, Joining |