Airbus UK Limited

Huw Davies

Robert Maziarz

Rostyslav Ilyushenko

Two aluminium alloy work-pieces are welded together. Firstly, a portion () of each work-piece () is prepared, the preparation including the performance of a surface treatment, such as friction stir welding, that results in a region (A) extending from the exterior surface into the work-piece having a grain structure that is finer than the grain structure of the work-piece outside (region C) that region. Then the work-pieces are welded together by means of a fusion welding process, such as electron beam welding, that joins the respective prepared portions () of the two work-pieces (). The preparation of the work-pieces is so performed that said region (A) extends into the work-piece to a depth that exceeds the depth of material (region D) that is caused to melt during the fusion welding process.

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Malmesbury, United Kingdom

Huw Davies