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, mainly implemented by a Rotary Friction Welding Machine, involves welding two circular cross-section workpieces: first, the machine 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 Rotary Friction Welding Machine immediately stops the rotation of the workpiece and applies a greater axial pressure to perform upsetting welding. Usually, the entire welding process only takes a few seconds, which fully reflects the efficiency of this specialized equipment.
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%. This stability is closely related to the precise control of the Friction Welding Machine, which ensures consistent friction and upsetting parameters throughout the process.
- High welding productivity. The efficient operation of the equipment shortens the welding cycle, making it suitable for mass production scenarios.
- The production cost is low. The Friction Welding Machine features 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 realize automation, and can be integrated with an Automatic Welding Machine to achieve unmanned and continuous production. Operation and maintenance are simple and easy to master, and the work site is clean with no harmful gas generated by sparks and arcs, meeting the requirements of green and safe production.