Rocket Science: Friction Stir Welding
In a recent conversation, someone asked me about the benefits of friction stir welding to rocket design. After having initially raised the subject, I then embarrassed myself by not being able to answer the question coherently, all my knowledge on the subject having suddenly dropped down the memory hole.
Naturally, it all came back to me later, when it did me no good. Hmpf. But like lemons to lemonade, my embarrassment becomes your enlightenment — here’s a brief intro to FSW: what it is and what it’s good for.
