Friction welding is a pressure welding method that uses the heat generated by mutual friction in relative rotational motion when the workpiece contacts the end surface, so that the end reaches the thermoplastic state, and then quickly upsets to complete the welding. The most common friction welding method is realized by a Rotary Friction Welding Machine; when welding two circular cross-section workpieces, the Rotary Friction Welding Machine first makes one workpiece rotate at a high speed about the centerline, and then applies axial pressure to the rotating workpiece to start friction heating. When the specified friction welding time or the specified amount of friction deformation is reached, that is, when the joint is heated to the welding temperature, the rotation of the workpiece is immediately stopped, and a greater axial pressure is applied to perform upsetting welding. Usually, the entire welding process only takes a few seconds.
Advantages of friction welding:
- The welding quality is good and stable. The rejection rate is about 0.01%, and the rejection rate of flash butt welding is 10%-1.4%.
- High welding productivity, which is closely related to the efficient operation of the Friction Welding Machine.
- The production cost is low; the Friction Welding Machine has small power and short welding time, so it can save electric energy. Compared with flash welding, friction welding can save about 80-90% of electric energy. In addition, the welding margin of the workpiece is small; the workpiece does not need special processing and cleaning before welding; sometimes the welding flash does not need to be removed; there is no need for filling materials and shielding gas. Therefore, the processing cost can be reduced by about 30% compared with arc welding.
- The Friction Welding Machine is easy to be upgraded into an Automatic Welding Machine to realize full-process automation. Operation and maintenance are simple and easy to master, and the work site is clean, without harmful gas generated by sparks and arcs