Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a friction stir processing tip is provided for a friction stir processing device. The friction stir processing tip includes a body having a central longitudinal axis, a friction stir processing portion of the body, and a connecting portion of the body configured to connect to a tip holder of the friction stir processing device. The connecting portion includes splines configured to receive a torque from the tip holder for rotating the body about the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a friction stir processing tip is provided for a friction stir processing device. The friction stir processing tip includes a body having a central longitudinal axis, a friction stir processing portion of the body, and a connecting portion of the body configured to connect to a tip holder of the friction stir processing device. The connecting portion includes splines configured to receive a torque from the tip holder for rotating the body about the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tungsten rhenium compounds and composites and to methods of forming the same. Tungsten and rhenium powders are mixed together and sintered at high temperature and high pressure to form a unique compound. An ultra hard material may also be added. The tungsten, rhenium, and ultra hard material are mixed together and then sintered at high temperature and high pressure.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tungsten rhenium compounds and composites and to methods of forming the same. Tungsten and rhenium powders are mixed together and sintered at high temperature and high pressure to form a unique compound. An ultra hard material may also be added. The tungsten, rhenium, and ultra hard material are mixed together and then sintered at high temperature and high pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for performing friction stir welding of non-planar materials having high melting temperatures, wherein a process is provided for performing longitudinal and radial welds on objects such as pipes, flanges, tanks, and shrouds, and wherein an active or passive mandrel provides support for the friction stir welding process.

Abstract: A friction stir tool is provided to perform friction stir riveting using a partially consumable pin, wherein the pin includes a cutting edge on a bottom surface thereof, wherein the tool is rotated at a first speed to enable cutting by the pin into a first material that is overlapping a second material, wherein after the pin has cut to a sufficient depth, the rotational speed of the tool is increased to thereby enable plasticization of the consumable pin, the first material, and the second material, wherein the tool is then rapidly decelerated until stopped, enabling diffusion bonding between the pin, the first material and the second material.

Abstract: A system and method for performing friction stir welding of non-planar materials having high melting temperatures, wherein a process is provided for performing longitudinal and radial welds on objects such as pipes, flanges, tanks, and shrouds, and wherein an active or passive mandrel provides support for the friction stir welding process.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the Din and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: A method of selecting a geometry for a friction stirring tool, said tool having a melting point that is higher than the workpiece material, wherein the tool is placed in motion against the workpiece to generate heat in the workpiece such that workpiece material is transported in surface features of the tool, and wherein surface features manage workpiece material flow around the tool, and wherein the tool can be used in friction stir processing, friction stir mixing, friction stir welding, and friction stir spot welding of high melting temperature materials or high softening temperature materials.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: A system and method for using friction stir welding, friction stir processing, and friction stir mixing to create pressure vessels, pipes or other containers comprised of a single material or multiple layers of different materials, and having superior strength and endurance characteristics.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: A friction stir welding anvil and method of producing a friction stir welding anvil that precludes diffusion or mechanical bonding of the anvil to the work pieces are provided. The alternatives for producing such an anvil comprise coating the anvil with diffusion barriers such as oxides, nitrides, intermetallics, and/or refractory metals; manufacturing an anvil either completely or partially from the same; or placing a coating of such materials in the form of a thin sheet or a powder between the anvil and the work pieces. The anvil disclosed herein exhibits high strength and hardness even at elevated temperatures, such as those greater than 800° C., so as to prevent the anvil from mechanically or diffusion bonding to the work pieces and so as to minimize, or eliminate altogether, anvil deformation.

Abstract: A tool for friction stir spot welding of high melting temperature materials, wherein the tool geometry includes a short pin and broad shoulder to enhance mixing of high temperature materials, and wherein the tool includes a superabrasive coating to thereby enable FSSW of high melting temperature materials.

Abstract: A single body friction stir welding tool, wherein the single body is pressed/sintered as a single body tool in a single pressing operation, and wherein different tool design characteristics can be introduced into the single body tool.

Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.