Abstract: Friction stir welding (FSW) is a recent and effective solid state joining technique for joining similar and dissimilar metals. It is being used mostly in aerospace, rail, automotive and marine industries applications. Many researchers are currently working with different perspectives of this friction stir welding process for different combinations of materials. The general input process parameters are tool design, tool rotational speed, traverse speed, tilt angle, flow of material and axial force. And the output parameters are joint hardness, tensile strength, and yield strength. This paper compiles the optimization of input parameters tried by different researchers with different perspective. And suggest the best use and practice to be followed in this welding process.

Keywords: Friction stir welding, process parameters, tool rotational speed, traverse speed, tilt angle, flow of material optimization.