Friktsioonkeevitus

Friktsioonkeevitus, also known as friction welding, is a solid-state joining process that utilizes the heat generated by friction between two surfaces to achieve a weld. In this method, one of the workpieces is rotated at high speed against a stationary or similarly rotating second workpiece. The intense friction between the surfaces causes them to soften and become plasticized, allowing for a metallurgical bond to form when pressure is applied.

The process typically involves three main stages: initial contact and friction heating, material displacement and consolidation, and cooling. During the first stage, the relative motion generates significant heat. As the temperature rises, material at the interface begins to deform and move away from the center, forming flash. This displaced material, along with the underlying plasticized metal, is then forged together under axial pressure in the consolidation stage, creating the weld. Finally, the joint cools, resulting in a solid, often very strong, bond.

Friction welding is a versatile technique capable of joining a wide range of dissimilar metals and alloys that might be difficult or impossible to weld using fusion methods. It is often used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and energy for applications like joining shafts, tubes, and various component assemblies. The process is known for its efficiency, speed, and the production of high-quality, defect-free welds with minimal distortion and no need for filler materials or shielding gases.