Abstract Joining of dissimilar metals is one of the most essential needs of industries. Dissimilar metal combinations Fe–Ti, Cu–Ti, Fe–Cu, Fe–Ni and Cu–Ni have been investigated in the present work as Fe, Cu, Ti and Ni are the most extensively used materials in engineering application in the alloyed form. Metals are taken in commercially pure form so as to understand the basic mechanism of joining, which can be then employed to complex alloy systems. Influence of interaction time in continuous drive friction welding on microstructure and tensile properties is studied. Increased interaction time led to decrease in strength in eutectoid forming and insoluble systems and improved strength in soluble systems. Mechanical transport of the material is predominant at the peripheral region of the weld.