THE PROCESS

PRINCIPLES OF FRICTION WELDING

Friction Welding is a "solid state" (no melting) joining process done on a machine tool, that welds circular interface by rotation of one component and axial force between components, to heat and upset material by friction only, with no filler metal, flux, or shielding gas, only parent material loss. Weld strength normally equals or exceeds parent material strength.

In friction welding one component is rotated and one component is held stationary. The part that is rotated is brought into contact with the stationary component and when enough heat has been generated to bring the components to a plastic state and the desired burnoff has been achieved, rotation is stopped. More axial force is then applied between the two components resulting in a solid state bond at the interface forming a friction welded joint.

One component rotated rapidly, the other is stationary.	Rotating and stationary components brought together into contact and force applied.
Axial force is increased to bring components into a plastic state at interface.	Rotation is stopped and more axial force is applied.
Result - A full cross sectional weld in the parent material.