Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a relatively new welding technique where metals are joined through mechanical stirring. Due to its numerous advantages over older welding methods, it has been implemented in an increasing number of industries. However, there are remaining challenges to be overcome in FSW. One of the most serious is its reliance on accurate weld parameters. Additionally, faults or ...

BACKGROUND FSWs who inject drugs (FSW-IDUs) can acquire HIV through high risk sexual and injection behaviors. We studied correlates of HIV infection among FSW-IDUs in northern Mexico, where sex work is quasi-legal and syringes can be legally obtained without a prescription. METHODS FSW-IDUs>18 years old who reported injecting drugs and recent unprotected sex with clients in Tijuana and Ciudad...

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a recently-developed technique where metals are joined together through mechanical stirring. FSW, often performed by robotic welders, is being used in an increasing number of industries such as aerospace, maritime and transportation. FSW has proven to be very effective and has replaced fusion welding and riveting in a number of manufacturing processes. In order to...

In his seminal text Friction and Wear of Materials, Ernest Rabinowicz defines wear as “the removal of material from solid surfaces as a result of mechanical action” [1]. The wear problem is incredibly important from an economic perspective; in the manufacturing industry, cost is in direct proportion to the frequency with which a particular component must be replaced. In many applications, worn ...

Friction stir welding, a solid state innovative joining technique, is widely being used to join aluminium alloys for aerospace, marine automotive and many other applications of commercial importance. FSW trials were carried out using a vertical machining centre (VMC) on AA6061 alloy. The main objective of the present work was to evaluate the weld processing parameter of friction stir weld (FSW)...

The U.S. Navy recommends submarine escape for depths down to 600 fsw, with deeper escapes entailing the risks of decompression sickness, nitrogen (N2) narcosis and CNS oxygen (O2) toxicity. However, the escape equipment, including the submarine escape and immersion equipment and the escape trunk, could probably function even at 1,000 fsw. Here we report a theoretical analysis of the risks of bo...

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a relatively new solid-state joining process. This joining technique is energy efficient, environment friendly, and versatile. In particular, it can be used to join high-strength aerospace aluminum alloys and other metallic alloys that are hard to weld by conventional fusion welding. FSW is considered to be the most significant development in metal joining in a de...

Friction stir welding (FSW) is now well established as a welding process capable of joining some different types of metallic materials, as it was (1) found to be a reliable and economical way of producing high quality welds, and (2) considered a "clean" welding process that does not involve fusion of metal, as is the case with other traditional welding processes. The aim of this study was to de...

OBJECTIVE Traditional retainers (both metal and fiber-reinforced composite [FRC]) have limitations, and a retainer made from more flexible ligature wires might be advantageous. We aimed to compare an experimental design with two traditional retainers. METHODS In this prospective preliminary clinical trial, 150 post-treatment patients were enrolled and randomly divided into three groups of 50 ...

OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers in female sex workers (FSW) in Mexico City. METHODS The study population consisted of 1498 FSW who attended a detection centre for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Mexico City, between January and October 1992. Study participants responded to a standardised questionnaire and p...