Adaptation of Low Force Friction Welding to Stainless Steel, Titanium, and a Nickel-Base Superalloy

Low Force Friction Welding is a recently developed technology for solid-state joining. This technology employs resistance heating to augment the energy input with friction welding. The technology was initially demonstrated on representative steel and aluminum alloys. This paper extends that work to candidate stainless steel, titanium, and nickel-base superalloys. The materials investigated included 304 stainless steel, Ti-6Al-4V, and IN 718 alloys. Optimization efforts were conducted through assessments of joint geometry, microstructure, and mechanical properties. Results for all materials showed low levels of upset, diffuse deformation zones, and any flash bifurcation outside the geometry of the parent materials. Results for the 304 SS and Ti-6Al-4V showed properties comparable to the base materials. The IN 718, while demonstrating many of the desired geometric features, is still under development.