Alcan Rhenalu

Constellium France

Engineered Products Switzerland Ag (ltd.)

Isabelle Bordesoules

Armelle Danielou

Philippe Lequeu

Christine Henon

Jean-Pierre Armenio

Christian Hantrais

The present disclosure concerns a method for assembling aluminum alloy parts, in which (i) at least a first aluminum alloy part is procured in a solution heat treated, quenched, optionally cold worked, and naturally aged at ambient temperature or pre-aged temper, and at least a second aluminum alloy part, (ii) said parts are welded to obtain a welded assembly having a welded zone, (iii) cold working the entire welded zone between 0.3% and 5% is performed, (iv) the welded assembly thus cold worked undergoes post-weld aging to obtain a final metallurgical temper.

Method for assembling aluminum alloy parts by welding

A process for friction stir welding at least a first part made of metal alloy A with at least a second part made of a dissimilar metal alloy B, in which the first and second parts are placed side by side, and a joint is made between the first and second parts using a rotating tool moving at a speed referred to as the travel speed. The tool travel speed has at least two alternated modes in continuous service, a first mode wherein a first average travel speed Sand a second mode wherein a second average travel speed Sis used, the speeds Sand Sbeing significantly different, typically at least 30% of the highest travel speeds, with the slowest advance speed being zero. The assemblies welded according to the invention are particularly advantageous for the fabrication of panels or structural sections used in the manufacture of transport vehicles.

Pulsed friction stir welding process

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Saint Egreve, France

Isabelle Bordesoules