TS EN ISO 18785-1

TS EN ISO 18785-1 is a vocabulary standard for friction stir spot welding (FSSW), setting out the terms and definitions used for this joining process with a focus on aluminium and aluminium alloys. Standards of this kind help align technical language so the same concept is not described differently across design, manufacturing and quality documentation.

Core terms in friction stir spot welding

FSSW belongs to the solid-state welding family: the materials are joined without melting, while a rotating tool creates local softening and mixing through frictional and mechanical action. The phrase “spot welding” reflects that the joint is formed in a localized area rather than along a continuous seam. The aluminium focus matters because alloy composition, heat response and surface behaviour all influence how process terminology is understood and used in practice.

What this part covers

• The standard defines terms and definitions related to the FSSW process; it does not prescribe a new welding procedure or a parameter set.
• In this document, the term “aluminium” includes aluminium and its alloys.
• Its main value is consistent terminology for welded joints and manufacturing engineering contexts.

As a vocabulary document, it provides conceptual clarity rather than operational instructions. That makes it useful in process planning, technical training, reporting and communication, where precise and shared wording matters for the same welding phenomenon.