Contract R&D and Design

Contract R&D is a well-known way to accelerate product development by gaining access to external expertise, mitigating development risks and being more flexible and cost efficient when planning R&D capacity. Given the possibility on verifying the technology Friction Stir Welding towards your application, Stirtec navigates through the complexities of the welding process by creating cutting-edge solutions to your requirements. Based on our scientific expertise, manifested throughout an impressive scale of representative projects across industries, Stirtec offers contract R&D services for specific high-quality components and process-related topics, such as FSW feasibility studies or fabrication process analyses.

The in-house laboratory assesses on the welding quality throughout destructive and non-destructive testing procedures, following the latest requirements according to valid ISO standard 25239:2020 part 1-5. With the independent research and development center, additional verifications ensure highest quality standards.

• Macroscopic examination via cross-sectioning
• Hammer-bend testing on welding strength
• Tensile testing / Micro-tensile testing according to common standards
• Tightness verification of FSW welding seam via leakage test equipment
• Process monitoring via Stirtec’s STIRlytics® quality software
• Evaluation of thermo-input via GOM-measurement system (before and after FSW)

As an early pioneer in the field of Friction Stir Welding, Stirtec benefits from strategic partnerships with universities and technical faculties around the globe to engage in joint research projects and share its expertise in the industrial use of the technology FSW.