Recently, an innovative spot weld technique has appeared on the market, more specific friction spot welding (i.e. refill friction stir spot welding), where the connection is made through frictional heat. This welding technology is particularly suitable for welding aluminium, and provides a solution to the difficulties that resistance spot welding is facing for welding these materials, such as the electrode wear and tool life. Friction spot welding also has a remarkably greater employability, such as the welding of advanced higher-strength aluminium alloys, which are not weldable with conventional welding techniques. It is also possible to weld dissimilar materials such as aluminium-steel, coated aluminium alloys or materials with highly uneven thickness.
