The effect of process parameters on temperature distribution in stationary shoulder friction stir welding (SSFSW) and conventional FSW of AA7010-T6 alloy are studied using a three-dimensional heat conduction analysis. The computed results are validated from experimentally measured results reported in independent literature. The tool torque, traverse force and the mechanical stresses on the FSW tool were evaluated analytically using mechanics based principles. The estimated results showed that the tools used in the SSFSW process were more likely to early failure. © 2019, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.