Friction Stir Welding of Metal Matrix Composites for use in aerospace structures

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a relatively nascent solid state joining technique developed at The Welding Institute (TWI) in 1991. The process was first used at NASA to weld the super lightweight external tank for the Space Shuttle. Today FSW is used to join structural components of the Delta IV, Atlas V, and Falcon IX rockets as well as the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle. A current focus of FSW research is to extend the process to new materials which are difficult to weld using conventional fusion techniques. Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) consist of a metal alloy reinforced with ceramics and have a very high strength to weight ratio, a property which makes them attractive for use in aerospace and defense applications. MMCs have found use in the space shuttle orbiter's structural tubing, the Hubble Space Telescope's antenna mast, control surfaces and propulsion systems for aircraft, and tank armors. The size of MMC components is severely limited by difficulties encountered in joining these materials using fusion welding. Melting of the material results in formation of an undesirable phase (formed when molten Aluminum reacts with the reinforcement) which leaves a strength depleted region along the joint line. Since FSW occurs below the melting point of the workpiece material, this deleterious phase is absent in FSW-ed MMC joints. FSW of MMCs is, however, plagued by rapid wear of the welding tool, a consequence of the large discrepancy in hardness between the steel tool and the reinforcement material. This work characterizes the effect of process parameters (spindle speed, traverse rate, and length of joint) on the wear process. Based on the results of these experiments, a phenomenological model of the wear process was constructed based on the rotating plug model for FSW. The effectiveness of harder tool materials (such as Tungsten Carbide, high speed steel, and tools with diamond coatings) to combat abrasive wear is explored. In-process force, torque, and vibration signals are analyzed to assess the feasibility of on-line monitoring of tool shape changes as a result of wear (an advancement which would eliminate the need for off-line evaluation of tool condition during joining). Monitoring, controlling, and reducing tool wear in FSW of MMCs is essential to the implementation of these materials in structures (such as launch vehicles) where they would be of maximum benefit.     

双轴肩搅拌摩擦焊接方法研究进展

双轴肩搅拌摩擦作为搅拌摩擦焊的一个重要变体,通过增加下轴肩实现自支撑,使搅拌摩擦焊技术应用于封闭结构(管或中空型材)的焊接。目前,双轴肩搅拌摩擦焊技术的研究与应用仍处于初始阶段,其相关理论研究尚不成熟。针对双轴肩搅拌摩擦焊的研究现状,从双轴肩搅拌摩擦焊方法分类综述了其发展概况,为双轴肩搅拌摩擦焊技术的发展和实际工程应用提供参考。     

2524铝合金的搅拌摩擦焊对接工艺

以2524-T3板材作为试验材料,研究了薄板的搅拌摩擦焊对接工艺,优化了对接焊的工艺参数,获得了焊接工艺窗口及最优工艺参数.在最优工艺参数下生产的对接焊件具有良好的质量外观,焊件的变形量和焊缝减薄量极小;焊件的X射线检测结果表明焊件内部质量良好,没有在照片上发现缺陷;金相组织分析显示,焊缝横截面组织均匀致密;焊接接头静力拉伸性能测试结果表明焊缝抗拉强度的平均为397 MPa,为母材抗拉强度的90.4％.     

SiC_p/2024Al铝基复合材料搅拌摩擦焊接头微观组织

利用搅拌摩擦焊对SiCp/2024Al铝基复合材料进行了焊接。采用急停实验分析母材瞬间移动行为。利用金相显微镜,TEM观察接头组织。接头显微组织分析表明,接头中形成V字型结构,且SiC颗粒因焊缝位置不同而分布不均匀。在热机影响区中,SiC出现偏析;在焊核区,SiC颗粒较少。若参数选择不当,焊核中心区出现了颗粒消失现象。焊缝不同位置透射电镜分析表明,SiC/Al界面结合清晰,无脆性相生成,并在其中发现了破碎的SiC颗粒。     

搅拌摩擦焊工艺及其应用

搅拌摩擦焊（Ｆｒｉｃｔｉｏｎ ＳｔｉｒＷｅｌｄｉｎｇ 简称ＦＳＷ）是英国焊接研究所９０ 年代初发明的一种用于低熔点合金板材焊接的固态连接方法。用该方法可以焊接通常熔焊方法难于焊接的铝合金、钛合金等材料,不会在接头内形成气孔、裂纹、变形等缺陷。本文介绍了搅拌摩擦焊的基本原理、工艺特点、研究现状及其可能的应用领域,指出了其在我国的应用前景。     

运载火箭铝合金贮箱全搅拌摩擦焊接工艺及应用

搅拌摩擦焊技术具有焊接缺陷少、焊接变形小、接头性能高等优点,是运载火箭铝合金贮箱制造的发展趋势。本文分析了我国运载火箭贮箱的结构组成和主焊缝结构特点,系统梳理并研究了实现贮箱主焊缝全搅拌摩擦焊接制造所需要的关键技术,包括常规搅拌摩擦焊技术、可回抽搅拌摩擦焊技术、超声相控阵检测技术及补焊技术。研究成果已经逐步实现了在运载火箭贮箱筒段纵缝、箱底主焊缝、贮箱总装环缝上的工程化应用。