Solid State Welding Process for Aerospace Components
Since solid state welded joint is formed from an intimate contact between two metals at temperatures below the melting point of the base materials, the structural integrity of welding depends on time, temperature, and pressure. This paper provides some of examples of friction stir welding and diffusion welding process for aerospace components. Friction stir welding process of AA2195 was developed in order to study possible application for a large fuel tank. Massive diffusion welding of multiple titanium sheets was performed and successful results were obtained. Diffusion welding of dissimilar metals of copper and stainless steel was necessary to manufacture a scaled combustion chamber. Diffusion welding of copper and steel was performed and it is shown that the optimum condition of diffusion welding is 7MPa at 890°C, for one hour. It is shown that solid state welding processes can be successfully applied to fabricate lightweight aerospace parts.