Linear Friction Welding - Aeronautic structural part application
1ESCMU3, Metallic Manufacturing Processes AIRBUS Operation SAS, 2ACB - 27 rue du Ranzai, 44319 Nantes, France
Manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V structural parts by linear friction welding (LFW) is explained focusing on main advantages using this technology. Several studies have been conducted by ACB to understand main stakes of LFW for manufacturing and to propose most reliable and cost-efficient solution. Besides, ACB and AIRBUS were part of the project SATISFLAIRE with IRT Jules Verne whose main goals were to qualify the LFW process for the industrial range of aeronautic structural parts, identify the economic benefit of welding these parts thanks to LFW, make the technical demonstration by manufacturing of full scale demonstrator and finally to validate the conformity of the welded joints with the structural pieces requirements. All these goals have been reached for two types of aeronautic structural parts: T clips and seat tracks that makes ACB the first supplier qualified by AIRBUS for supply of structural parts welded by LFW.