B. Flipo, ACB, Nantes, France; M. W. Moffat, Cyril Bath Co., Monroe, NC
The interest of such a solid state welding technology resides in its accuracy, its repeatability and its influence on parts costs by lowering buy to fly and by increasing production rates. Using the dual forge axis technology developed by Cyril Bath Company and ACB helps pushing further the possibility of linear friction welded aerospace applications. This process is targeted to titanium or nickel based alloys, whether they take a standard alloy, powder or metal matrix composites form. Studies are being carried out for this welding technology to be applied on emerging materials such as aluminium lithium and metallurgical form such as mono crystalline alloys. This joining method can be applied to already existing parts and thus reduce their production costs but can also be used directly by the design office so as to lower planes costs even further. Last, it is a green application and generates zero pollution during manufacturing of parts.
