Abstract: A method for forming a friction stir welded assembly is provided, as is an associated component assembly formed according to such a method. The method includes coating surface portions of one or more untreated articles with a coating material. Thereafter, the articles are friction stir welded to form an assembly. A thermal treatment is performed before or after the welding operation, e.g., to simultaneously heat treat the articles and cure the coating.

Abstract: Expanded structural assemblies and preforms and methods therefor are provided. Each preform can include at least two structural members in a stacked relationship, defining cells that can be inflated to expand the preform. Elongate members can be disposed between the structural members along the cells to define passages through which fluid can be received during expanding. Further, the structural members of the preform can be connected by friction stir weld joints, some of which can extend only partially through the preform so that the preform defines cells that can be expanded. More than one adjacent friction stir weld joint can be disposed between adjacent cells of the preform to define multiple-pass friction stir weld joints.

Abstract: A fastener component is formed from aluminum or aluminum-alloy material having a head portion and an elongate shank portion, the shank portion having an end and intermediate or transition region. At least the shank portion of the fastener is cold-worked or heat-treated to an intermediate hardness stage, typically to a T6 condition. The intermediate region of the shank portion is further cold-worked to harden or strengthen the intermediate region of the shank portion with respect to the end of the shank, typically to a T8 condition. The aluminum or aluminum-alloy material of the component advantageously has ultra-fine grain size of less than about 5 microns. The ultra-fine grain size is advantageously obtained by friction stir processing (FSP) or equal angle extrusion (EAE).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for angularly extruding a workpiece through a die to form blanks and articles having refined grain structure. The die is also used to form the workpiece to a desired shape, such as a cylinder. The angular extrusion method can be used in place of some heat treatments, thereby lowering the cost and time for manufacturing articles. The method is compatible with materials with high strength-to-weight ratios such as aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof. The blanks can be used to form articles having favorable mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, formability, and resistance to fatigue, corrosion, and thermal stresses.

Abstract: Expanded structural assemblies and preforms and methods therefor are provided. Each preform can include at least two structural members in a stacked relationship, defining cells that can be inflated to expand the preform. Elongate members can be disposed between the structural members along the cells to define passages through which fluid can be received during expanding. Further, the structural members of the preform can be connected by friction stir weld joints, some of which can extend only partially through the preform so that the preform defines cells that can be expanded. More than one adjacent friction stir weld joint can be disposed between adjacent cells of the preform to define multiple-pass friction stir weld joints.