Friction Welding Below A3 Temperature to Preserve Joint Hardness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional friction welding methods face limitations in controlling joint properties, particularly in suppressing hardness increases and reductions in the heat-affected zone, and are restricted by narrow carbon content ranges and specific steel compositions.

Innovation Solution

A friction welding method that controls sliding speed to minimize heat generation, utilizes processing heat from plastic deformation, and maintains welding temperatures below critical points (A3, Acm, or A1) to prevent martensite formation, allowing for a dual structure of ferrite and austenite, and employs external cooling to refine microstructure and maintain strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional friction pressure welding is performed with rapid heating and cooling, then welding speed is improved, but hardness increases and strength decreases in the welded part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding speedVSAvoidstrength of welded part
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter by controlling the maximum temperature to be at or below the A3 transformation point, preventing martensite formation. It also changes the cooling rate parameter to avoid excessive hardness increase, thereby maintaining strength while achieving welding speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition control by keeping the temperature at or below the A3 point to avoid austenite formation and subsequent martensite transformation. This prevents the harmful hardness increase and strength loss associated with rapid phase transitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Strength

If carbon content is increased to improve strength, then tensile strength is improved, but the range of applicable materials is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidrange of applicable materials
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the controlling parameter from carbon content to temperature control (maximum temperature at or below A3 point). This allows various carbon含量的钢材 to be welded without restriction, as the strength and hardness control is achieved through temperature management rather than material composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If sliding speed is increased to improve productivity, then welding speed is improved, but heat generation increases causing unwanted microstructure changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding speedVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the sliding speed parameter to generate sufficient friction heat for welding while controlling it to prevent the maximum temperature from exceeding the A3 point. This balanced parameter selection achieves both productivity and temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method effectively suppresses hardness increases and reductions in the heat-affected zone, achieving a reliable welded structure with recrystallized grains and maintaining mechanical properties across various ferrous materials, including high-speed steels, while avoiding embrittlement.

Implementation Method 1

friction heat generated by the sliding of the members to be welded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction heat: Friction

Implementation Method 2

processing heat generated by plastic deformation of the members to be welded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 3

the maximum temperature reached during welding is equal to or less than the A 3 point or the A cm point of the ferrous material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transformation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 4

The welded interface is mainly composed of recrystallized grains

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRecrystallization: Annealing

Data Source

PatentEP3330034B1Friction bonding method and welded structure
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 OSAKA UNIVERSITY
  • EP3330034B1 patent drawingFigure 1~10
  • EP3330034B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3330034B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are a simple and effective friction welding method that can suppress increases in hardness of the welded part and reductions in hardness (strength) in the heat affected zone regardless of the composition of ferrous material, and a welded structure obtained with the same. The present invention relates to a friction welding method wherein surfaces to be welded of two metal members (2, 4) to be welded are made to slide in contact with each other. The friction welding method is characterized in that at least one of the metal members (2, 4) to be welded is a ferrous material, and the maximum temperature reached during welding is equal to or less than the A3 point or equal to or less than the Acm point of the ferrous material. The maximum temperature reached during welding is preferably equal to or less than the A1 point of the ferrous material.