Linear and rotary friction welding review

TLDR

Friction welding is a high‑quality solid‑state joining process, with rotary friction welding the most common variant and linear friction welding emerging for aircraft engine blisk assemblies, and both have been used to join a wide range of structural metallic materials. This review surveys the current understanding and development of rotary and linear friction welding and highlights opportunities for future research. The review focuses on process parameters, joint microstructure, residual stresses, mechanical properties, and their interrelationships.

Abstract

Friction welding (FW) is a high quality, nominally solid-state joining process, which produces welds of high structural integrity. Rotary friction welding (RFW) is the most commonly used form of FW, while linear friction welding (LFW) is a relatively new method being used mainly for the production of integrally bladed disc (blisk) assemblies in the aircraft engine industry. Numerous similar and dissimilar joints of structural metallic materials have been welded with RFW and LFW. In this review, the current state of understanding and development of RFW and LFW is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the process parameters, joint microstructure, residual stresses, mechanical properties and their relationships. Finally, opportunities for further research and development of the RFW and LFW processes are identified.