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Article: Spin to win: Rotary friction welding is a cost-effective method of assembling anything from hand tools to hydraulic piston rods. (Welding).
- Article from:
- Assembly
- Article date:
- May 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 BNP Media. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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If you were ever in the Boy Scouts, you probably learned how to start a fire with a wooden drill and a bow. Rapidly rotating the drill against a wooden hearth, under pressure, generated enough heat through friction to set tinder smoldering and thus, start a fire.
Rotary friction welding works in the same way. One metal component is rotated against a fixed component under pressure. Friction between the two parts removes surface oxides and heats the metal in the joint zone to the plastic state. As the parts begin to upset, the metals share electrons and bond to each other. The rotation stops, additional axial force is applied, and the weld is accomplished.
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