Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing weld flash from a structural assembly are provided. The apparatus generally includes a tool with a head that defines an edge and first and second opposite surfaces disposed at an angle converging toward the edge. A shaft, which extends from the first surface of the head, is configured to be engaged to a shaft holder of an actuation device so that the head extends from the actuation device and is configured to lift the flash from a surface of the assembly as the tool is moved in a path along a surface of the assembly with the edge contacting the flash.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy comprises aluminum, magnesium, scandium, and an enhancing system. The magnesium is from about 0.5 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight based on the aluminum alloy. The scandium is from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight based on the aluminum alloy. The enhancing system is from about 0.05 percent to about 1.5 percent by weight based on the aluminum alloy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a structure by ultrasonic welding and superplastic forming. The method comprises assembling a plurality of workpieces comprising a first workpiece including a first material having superplastic characteristics; ultrasonically welding the first workpiece to a second workpiece, to form an assembly; heating the assembly to a temperature at which the first material having superplastic characteristics is capable of superplastic deformation, and injecting a fluid between the first workpiece and the second workpiece to form a cavity between the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction-stir joining method for joining a first member, having a base metal covered with a substance different from the base metal, with a second member with the second member placed on the first member by moving a joining tool along a joining line having thereon a joining start point and a joining finish point. The method includes steps of: inserting the joining tool into the second member at the joining start point; moving the joining tool a predetermined distance along the joining line in a direction opposite the joining finish point; causing the joining tool to turn back at a turning-back point spaced the predetermined distance from the joining start point; moving the joining tool along the joining line to the joining finish point past the joining start point; and pulling the joining tool out from the second member at the joining finish point.

Abstract: There is provided a tool for friction stir welding having excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance. The tool for friction stir welding according to the present invention is a tool for friction stir welding used in friction stir welding processing, wherein the tool for friction stir welding includes a base material, the base material includes a first hard phase and a binder phase, and has a thermal conductivity of 45 W/m·K or less, the first hard phase is formed by WC particles, and the binder phase is formed by an iron group metal and is included in the base material at a volume ratio of 8% by volume or more and 28% by volume or less.

Abstract: Friction stir welding is performed in the following manner. In the state in which a probe is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction, the probe is inserted into a flange of a rear sub frame, thereby starting friction stir welding to weld the flange of the rear sub frame and a flange of a front sub frame positioned on the inner side of the rear side of a vehicle. The probe is sequentially moved along the direction of arrow R1?arrow R2 (predetermined direction). When the probe reaches the end point of the direction indicated by arrow R2, the probe is inserted into the flange on the outer side across a protruding portion disposed between the flanges. Then, the probe is sequentially moved in the direction of arrow R4?arrow R5?arrow R6, which is opposite to the direction of arrow R1?arrow R2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a qualitatively-stable functionally gradient material precursor having gradient material composition, as well as a production method of the functionally gradient material precursor, at low cost. Further, the present invention provides a functionally gradient material having gradient material composition, or having both gradient material composition and gradient porosity, so as to achieve high-functionality; as well as a production method of the functionally gradient material. A functionally gradient material precursor is formed by the steps of: forming plural kinds of metal foam precursors, each obtained by performing heat treatment on a metal member so that a plurality of pores are generated within the metal member, by making the material composition of the metal member different; and friction stir welding the plural kinds of metal foam precursors. Further, a functionally gradient material is formed by performing heat treatment on the functionally gradient material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an economic rotation tool for joining a pair of metal members which form an inner corner by abutting the pair of metal members (1) each other, and a joining inner corner method using the same. The rotation tool for joining the pair of metal members which form an inner corner (1) by abutting the pair of metal members each other to perform friction stir welding on an inner corner portion formed by abutting a pair of metal members against each other comprising: a stirring pin (3) to be inserted into the inner corner portion; and a base block (2) supporting the stirring pin (3) and to be brought into contact with one and the other of the pair of metal members respectively, wherein the base block (2) includes: a body portion (4) having a taper shape; and a shoulder portion (5) formed detachably at a tip of the body portion, and the body portion (4) and the shoulder portion (5) are penetrated by the stirring pin (3).

Abstract: A friction stir welding includes a main body for holding a tool and a hot air and cool air separating unit. The separating unit is disposed at the main body and separates a supplied gas into hot air hotter than the gas and cool air cooler than the gas in a tube portion and ejects the cool air from a first end of the tube portion and ejects hot air from a second end of the tube portion. The hot air is supplied to a front side of a movement direction of the tool in the surface of the work piece from a tool side of the friction stir welding apparatus and the cool air is supplied to a rear side of the movement direction of the tool in the surface of the work piece from the tool side of the friction stir welding apparatus.

Abstract: A method for controlling friction stir welding is provided. The method may include initiating friction stir welding and determining the position of a friction stir welding tool and at least one part being welded. The method may also include adjusting the position of the friction stir welding tool while friction stir welding based at least in part on the positions of the tool and at least one of the parts. The position of the parts may be determined downstream of the friction stir welding tool in order to prospectively account for the position of the parts. Accordingly, the position of the friction stir welding tool may be dynamically adjusted during friction stir welding to account for part movement. Related systems and computer code are provided.

Abstract: A hole in a metal workpiece is filled by friction plug welding. The weld between the workpiece and the plug is reinforced by a weld land in the workpiece that surrounds one end of the plug. The weld land is formed by extruding a portion of the plug into a cavity in an anvil used in the welding process.

Abstract: A unitized assembly may comprise a fiber metal laminate and at least one additive layer. The fiber metal laminate may have non-metallic plies bonded to metallic plies and may include an innermost metallic ply. The at least one additive layer may be deposited onto the innermost metallic ply by friction stir welding.

Abstract: Friction Stir Welding (FSW) devices and methods for simultaneously welding both sides of an arcuate joint are described. The FSW method includes the step of operating a FSW tool and an anvil on the exterior surface of the joint and simultaneously operating another FSW tool and anvil on the interior surface of the joint. The anvils are positioned in a juxtaposing manner to the FSW tools, and move in tandem with the FSW tools, thus providing a supporting force to the FSW tools during their operation.

Abstract: A joining process and a joined article are disclosed. The joining process includes positioning an article having a base material, and friction welding a pre-sintered preform to the base material. The pre-sintered preform forms a feature on the article. The joined article includes a feature joined to a base material by friction welding of a pre-sintered preform.

Abstract: A method for producing a piston of an internal combustion engine, designed as a one-piece cooling channel piston. The piston includes an upper part and a lower part supported by corresponding circumferential joining bosses together forming a joining zone. In order to produce a bonded joint of the upper part and the lower part, the joining bosses are connected by means of multiorbital friction welding in the region of a rotationally symmetrical or rotationally asymmetrical joining zone.

Abstract: A monobloc piston assembly for an internal combustion engine is provided. The piston assembly includes a piston body which extends along an axis and is formed of at least two pieces of material which are joined together at least one friction weld joint which extends continuously through an annular shape around the axis. One of the pieces has an upper surface with a combustion bowl having a rotationally asymmetrical shape around the axis formed therein. Another of the pieces has a dome-shaped receiving surface which is rotationally symmetrical around the axis for slidingly receiving a portion of a connecting rod.

Abstract: A welding tool for connecting at least two workpieces at a connection region by friction stir welding includes a shoulder that separates the connection region from the surroundings. The shoulder is designed as a molding tool to mold during the friction stir welding.

Abstract: A method for routing an electrical conductor through a sub-surface channel in substantially any suitable metallic article of manufacture includes friction stir welding a cap in a groove formed in a surface of the article so as to form the sub-surface channel. An electrical conductor is then routed through the channel. The channel may further include a substantially tubular conduit formed therein with the electrical conductor being routed through the conduit. The friction stir weld zone formed during friction stir welding is generally harder and more wear resistant that the article body.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a process in which a component 4 is moved relative to another component 6 such that at least one of the components 4, 6 experiences a reduction in magnitude in at least one dimension. Such processes may include for example friction welding. The method comprises monitoring energy input to the process and adjusting an input parameter for the process based on the monitored energy input. The monitoring of energy input is performed before any reduction in component magnitude has begun to take place.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing welded lap joints comprising the following steps: Providing of two components each having at least one base; allocating the components in such a way that the bases face each other and the components overlap in an overlapping area, which extends at least partially over both components; joining the components by welding in the overlapping area such that a weld joint is formed, wherein at the edge of the overlapping area non welded areas are formed; removing of the non welded areas whereby outer cutting areas are formed at the components, which are arranged at obtuse angles to the overlapping area.

Abstract: A method for applying a wear reducing material to a tool used in a wellbore operation that includes welding a hardfacing alloy to a surface of the tool, wherein the welding comprises friction stirring the alloy into the tool's surface is disclosed. Methods of welding a preformed sleeve or width of wear reducing material using friction stirring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A friction stir welding method for a metal material for longitudinally welding members to be butted and then welded with complicated shape portions in section at end portions. The friction stir welding method includes preparing members to be welded and formed with excess thickness portions and a welding tool provided with a probe; performing a first welding to the members to be welded; inserting the welding tool from the excess thickness portion to cause plastic flow of the metal material subsequent to the butt-welding; and performing a second welding.

Abstract: A friction stir welding method in which a welding tool rotating around an axis is pressed against a welding target portion of workpieces supported by a backing member so that frictional heat is generated and the friction heat softens the welding target portion. The welding tool is at least partially inserted into the softened welding target portion and stirs the softened welding target portion so that the welding target portion is stir welded in a solid phase state. The friction stir welding method includes detecting a temperature of a temperature measurement point provided in the backing member, and calculating an estimated temperature of the welding tool from the detected temperature of the temperature measurement point, based on a predefined correlation between a temperature of the welding tool and a temperature of the backing member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shaft of a surgical instrument including forming a proximal segment of the shaft to include one or more features for operably engaging the shaft to a first component of the surgical instrument, forming a distal segment of the shaft to include one or more features for operably engaging the shaft to a second component of the surgical instrument and forming an intermediate segment of the shaft. The proximal segment is welded to a proximal end of the intermediate segment; and the distal segment is welded to a distal end of the intermediate segment. The proximal and distal segments are welded to the intermediate segment such that the one or more features thereof are aligned in a pre-determined orientation relative to one another.

Abstract: A counter-rotating spindle includes a shoulder tool, a pin tool inserted in the shoulder tool, a first motor that is connected with the pin tool and rotates the pin tool, and a second motor that is connected with the shoulder tool and rotates the shoulder tool. The direction and the speed of the rotation for the pin tool may be selected independently from the speed and direction of rotation of the shoulder tool enabling optimization of the friction stir welding process. Counter-rotating the pin tool and the shoulder tool may improve the mixing abilities and efficiency of the pin tool and may prevent the galling effect between the pin tool and the shoulder tool. The counter-rotating spindle may be used, for example, for continuous path friction stir welding and spot welding of aluminum and its alloys, including cast alloys, as well as joining similar and dissimilar alloys.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing a friction stir welding method which can achieve joining a butting portion to a deep location therein by reducing the load on the friction stirring device. The friction stir welding method for joining two metal members (1) using a primary joining rotary tool (F) with a stirring pin (F2) includes a primary joining process in which a rotating stirring pin (F2) is moved to the butting portion formed by butting the metal members (1) against each other and friction stir welding is carried out. In the primary joining process, only the stirring pin (F2) is brought into contact with the metal members (1).

Abstract: At least one inner vessel is provided within a container for storing and/or dispensing gas under pressure to assist in filling the container with gas. The container comprises an outer vessel defining an interior space and a fluid flow control unit for controlling fluid flow into and out of the container. The inner vessel(s) defines a part of the interior space of container and is intended to hold cryogenic fluid in spaced relationship with respect to the outer vessel. Since the inner vessel is in fluid flow communication with the remaining part of the interior space, when the cryogenic fluid becomes gaseous, the container fills with gas. The inner vessel(s) has a mouth for receiving cryogenic fluid from the fluid flow control unit which is free of the fluid flow control unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration dampening device (1) for the manufacture by rotational friction welding of a turbomachine rotor, said rotor comprising at least one first disc (2a) and a second disc (2b) each comprising a hub (3a, 3b) having an internal surface (4a, 4b), with the device (1) comprising at least one first clamping device (10a) configured to be positioned coaxially to the hub (3a) of the first disc (2a), comprising a pair of radially opposite jaws (11a) suited to come into contact with the internal surface (4a) of said hub (3a) of the first disc (2a).

Abstract: A system and method for repairing and/or joining together multiple lengths of tubulars using friction stir joining, and a system for manipulating the tubular so that friction stir joining may be performed while the tubular is on a reel and/or at a field site.

Abstract: The invention provides a friction-welded part featuring easy design as well as a method of producing said part. The friction-welded part 1 is produced by friction-welding a first member 10 and a second member 20 together. The first member 10 is made of an aluminum alloy material, having a uniform cross-section portion 11 whose cross-sectional shape and size are not changed. The second member 20 is made of an aluminum alloy material, having a uniform cross-section portion 21 whose cross-sectional shape and size are not changed. According to the invention, the uniform cross-section portions 11 and 21 are friction-welded together to form the part 1. A heat affected zone “H” caused by friction welding is formed only in the uniform cross-section portions 11 and 21. The uniform cross-section portion 11 of the first member 10, and the uniform cross-section portion 21 of the second member 20, respectively, have a cylindrical shape, preferably having the same sectional dimension.

Abstract: Provided are a friction processing tool in which a service life of the tool is improved and which can reduce a labor hour for manufacturing and a manufacturing cost, and a friction processing apparatus and a friction processing method using the same. In a friction working tool 20 for softening and processing workpieces W1 and W2 of a metal material by frictional heat generated by being pressed against the workpieces while being rotated, a cylindrical tool body 21 is provided, and a distal end surface of the tool body brought into contact with the workpieces W1 and W2 is formed only by a flat shoulder surface 22. The material of the friction processing tool 20 is made of Ni-based dual multi-phase intermetallic compound alloys.

Abstract: A method of welding two sheet-like work pieces, such as a web and a belt of a vehicle suspension control arm, is provided. The method includes the step of positioning one of the sheet-like work pieces against and at an angle relative to the other work piece such that the first and second work pieces are in contact with one another by a generally flat contact surface. The method continues with the step of melting with a single welding process material of the first and second work pieces across the entire width of the contact surface.

Abstract: In a process for friction stir welding together pieces of dissimilar material, a first piece of a second metal is overlaid onto a first piece of a first metal that is dissimilar from the second metal such that at least a portion of the first piece of second metal overlaps a portion of the first piece of first metal. The first piece of second metal has a plurality of holes therein and the holes are disposed in overlapping relationship with the portion of the first piece of first metal. Each of the holes is filled with a plug formed from the first metal. The first piece of first metal is friction stir welded to the first piece of second metal at each of the plug locations.

Abstract: A welding tool for friction welding a workpiece, the tool including: a probe having a core including a ceramic material, the probe having a surface coating including a metallic material covering at least part of a contact zone of the probe.

Abstract: A method for hardening a portion of the outer surface of a downhole tool body includes friction stirring the vulnerable surface of the tool. Such friction stirring generally includes rotating a friction stir weld tool in contact with the surface until a portion of the tool penetrates the tool. The friction stir weld tool is then translated (while rotating) across a predetermined region of the surface thereby creating a friction stir zone. The friction stir zone is generally considerably harder, and therefore more wear resistant, than the parent material that makes up the tool body. The resulting downhole tool includes at least one surface with a hard friction stir zone.

Abstract: A friction welding tool having a pin and a clamping device with a counter bearing, a holddown element and a spring element. The pin has a coupling section for releasable, rotationally fixed coupling to a rotating output device of a machine tool. The counter bearing is held on the pin between the pin's coupling and engagement ends in a manner that allows the counter bearing to be axially immovable on but freely rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the pin. The holddown element surrounds the pin and is arranged on a side of the counter bearing facing the engagement end. The holddown element has a bearing surface for bearing on the workpiece arrangement. The spring element is provided between the holddown element and the counter bearing and is mounted on the pin in such a way that it is elastically slidable along the longitudinal axis of the pin.

Abstract: The present application relates to a friction stir welding tool (20) for joining two adjacent work pieces (10), which work pieces comprise portions (6) to be welded and having a narrow space there between on one side, said tool having an axis of rotation, and comprising a first shoulder (1), a second shoulder (2), and a pin (3) arranged so as to connect the first and second shoulders, wherein said first shoulder has a first contact surface for friction heat generation to the work pieces to be joined during welding, said first contact surface having a first contact area, and said second shoulder has a second contact surface for friction heat generation to an opposite surface (5) of the same portions of the work pieces to be joined, said second contact surface having a second contact area, the first and second areas having different sizes, where the first area is a larger sized area than the second area.

Abstract: Sputtering targets are described that comprise: a) a target surface component comprising a target material; b) a core backing component having a coupling surface, a back surface and at least one open area, wherein the coupling surface is coupled to at least part of the target surface component; and wherein at least part of the target surface component fits into at least one open area of the core backing component. In some embodiments, the target surface component, the core backing component or a combination thereof have at least one surface area feature coupled to or located in the back surface of the core backing component, the target surface component or a combination thereof, wherein the surface area feature increases the cooling effectiveness of the target surface component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for producing a jointed member by subjecting two to-be-jointed members which are contacted each other to friction stir welding. The method for producing a jointed member executes a dwelling step in which a probe is rotated only for a predetermined period at at least one of a probe starting point position which is a position of the probe for forming a joint starting point in the to-be-jointed member and a probe end point position which is a position of the probe for forming a joint end point in the to-be-jointed member.

Abstract: There is provided a tool for friction stir welding, which is capable of promoting temperature rise of materials to be joined during joining to achieve friction stir welding in a short time, is excellent in heat insulating property of a coating layer, and is excellent in oxidation resistance and wear resistance. A tool for friction stir welding according to the present invention is a tool for friction stir welding including a base material and a coating layer formed on the base material, wherein the coating layer is formed of one or more layers, and at least one layer of the coating layer has a thermal permeability of 5000 J/s0.5·m2·K or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction stir welder that includes a stage on which at least two material pieces to be welded are mounted and stacked, a pressing member that covers and presses end faces of the material pieces to be welded that are mounted and stacked on the stage, and a rotary tool that is inserted into the stacked material pieces to be welded while rotating, so that a plastic flow is generated at an interfacing portion as well as in the vicinity thereof between the rotary tool and the material pieces to be welded, thereby to joint the material pieces to be welded to each other.

Abstract: Devices and methods of welding dissimilar materials are contemplated in which an adaptor is used in an intermediate position between the dissimilar materials. Most preferred adaptors are manufactured by friction stir welding from two dissimilar materials that are identical or similar to the dissimilar materials to be welded together. Therefore, coupling of dissimilar materials in the field via the adaptors is greatly simplified as conventional welding methods can now be employed.

Abstract: A washing machine with a direct drive system including a tub, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub, a shaft connected to the drum at a first end for transmission of a driving force of a direct drive motor, a coaxial support connected to a rear portion of the tub and having a first seat for a first bearing supporting a second end of the shaft opposite the drum, a stator secured to the coaxial support and having a plurality of magnetic cores, a rotor including permanent magnets and connected to the shaft, and a second bearing for supporting the shaft between the second end and the first end. The tub is made of polymeric material in which a second seat for said second bearing is co-molded.

Abstract: An improved piston for an opposed piston internal combustion engine is provided. The piston includes a piston body that extends along an axis from a crown portion to a skirt portion with a full piston skirt and to a pin boss portion. The piston body includes a plurality of ring grooves in the crown portion and at least one ring groove in the skirt portion. A wrist pin which has a length that is longer than a maximum diameter of the piston body is joined with the piston body at the pin boss portion and extends past the pin boss portion for receiving a pair of connecting rods on opposite sides of the piston body. The piston body is a monobloc piston body which is made of one integral piece or of multiple pieces that are welded or adhered together.

Abstract: There is provided a tool for friction stir welding, which is capable of promoting temperature rise of materials to be joined during joining to achieve friction stir welding in a short time, is excellent in heat insulating property of a coating layer, and is excellent in oxidation resistance and wear resistance. A tool for friction stir welding according to the present invention is a tool for friction stir welding including a base material and a coating layer formed on the base material, wherein the coating layer is formed of one or more layers, and at least one layer of the coating layer has a thermal permeability of 5000 J/s0.5·m2·K or less.

Abstract: A unitized assembly comprises a fiber metal laminate having at least one additive layer deposited thereonto such as by friction stir welding. The fiber metal laminate comprises metallic and non-metallic plies and having an innermost metallic ply. The innermost metallic ply and the additive layer are each sized and configured to facilitate the generation of thermal energy sufficient to deposit the first additive layer to the innermost metallic ply during the friction stir welding process. The additive layer is sized and configured to minimize thermal loads in the innermost metallic ply during deposition thereof. The unitized assembly may be formed using a stock member such as a metallic plate from which the innermost metallic ply may be machined. The metallic and non-metallic plies may be laid up over the innermost metallic ply. The substructure elements may be machined from the metallic plate.

Abstract: Devices and methods for friction stir welding using an anvil with a sacrificial material are disclosed. The method involves the steps of providing an anvil with a sacrificial material on the backside of the workpieces and operating a friction stir welding device to form a weld that joins the workpieces together with the sacrificial material. The anvil comprises a non-sacrificial base portion removably coupled with a sacrificial material.

Abstract: A method for friction stir welding is provided. The method may include compressing mating surfaces of first and second parts against one another in a fixture. One of the first part and the second part may include a first expendable portion and one of the first part and the second part may include a second expendable portion. A rotating pin may be inserted into the first expendable portion, directed along the joint, and removed from the second expendable portion. A conical pin with a threaded outer surface comprising one or more flat sections may be employed in the welding operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction-stir joining method for joining a first member, having a base metal covered with a substance different from the base metal, with a second member with the second member placed on the first member by moving a joining tool along a joining line having thereon a joining start point and a joining finish point. The method includes steps of inserting the joining tool into the second member at the joining start point; moving the joining tool a predetermined distance along the joining line in a direction opposite the joining finish point; causing the joining tool to turn back at a turning-back point spaced the predetermined distance from the joining start point; moving the joining tool along the joining line to the joining finish point past the joining start point; and pulling the joining tool out from the second member at the joining finish point.

Abstract: A method of welding that realizes enhancements of airtightness and watertightness at weld area and a method of welding and method of friction stir welding that attain an enhancement of welding operation efficiency/speed. There is provided a method of welding including the first primary welding step of carrying out a friction stir welding on the abutting portion (J1) of metal members (1,1) from the surface (12) side of metal member (1) and the second primary welding step of carrying out a friction stir welding on the abutting portion (J1) from the reverse face (13) side of the member (1), wherein in the second primary welding step, the friction stir welding is performed while penetrating a stifling pin (B2) of rotation tool (B) in plasticized region (W1) foamed in the first primary welding step.