Lockheed Martin Corporation

Zhixian Li

Michael R Eller

A continuous feed method for friction stir processing includes continuously feeding a tubular material having a first grain microstructure from a bulk source into a processing chamber, and forcing the tubular material between a die and a textured end portion of a mandrel as the tubular material is advanced through the chamber. The continuous feed method further includes rotating the mandrel within the tubular material while forcing the tubular material across the textured end portion to friction stir process the tubular material and transform a structure of the tubular material from the first grain microstructure to a second grain microstructure. The second grain microstructure is a finer equiaxed grain microstructure than the first grain microstructure. The method further includes converting the tubular material having the second grain microstructure into a stiffened sheet form.

Continuous feed method for friction stir processing

A method for forming a joint between a tube and a sheet includes forming an anvil at least within the tube, and welding the tube to the sheet in the presence of the anvil. The anvil includes an anchor which is placed within the tube near or at the joint to be formed. At least one washer is placed over the end of the anchor that is near the joint to be formed. A threaded fastener is then placed into the anchor to securely hold the anchor within the tube and to provide a backing substantial enough so that a friction stir weld can be formed. The threaded fastener and the washer can be used as a guide for the friction stir weld. Once the weld is completed, the anvil can be removed. The weld can be further processed to remove burrs and other material.

Growing community of inventors

Slidell, LA, United States of America

Zhixian Li