TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 332/1987
E D Nicholas
Scope
Friction welding with rotary motion is well established, however, the process is restricted to the joining of parts with a near circular section. Consequently, the primary objective of this preliminary investigation was to join rectangular sections, nominally 25mm x 6 or 10mm width after converting an existing orbital motion friction welding machine (by interfacing with special fixtures) to provide linear reciprocating motion. In order then, to gain an understanding of the process characteristics when using linear motion, a series of welds were made with four engineering materials of widely differing physical and mechanical properties, viz, BS 970 Part 1: 1983 070M20 mild steel, Ti-6Al-4V alloy (Grade 318), BS 1474-5154A aluminium-Mg alloy and BS 970 Part 1: 1983 Grade 316 austenitic stainless steel.
Close attention was given to the operating performance of the welding equipment, whilst basic mechanical tests, supplemented by metallurgical examination, were used to provide a guide to weld quality.