Patent ID: 6536651
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A friction stir welding method comprising the steps of:stacking a first member on a second member, the stacked surface of said second member having a groove formed along the direction in which friction stir welding is to be performed; and friction stir welding said stacked first and second members to each other along said groove using a rotary tool including a small-diameter portion having a diameter greater than the width of said groove; wherein the first member has a raised portion, in a direction toward rotary tool, overlying the groove, wherein the center of the width of the groove is aligned with the center of the width of the raised portion, wherein the center of the rotary tool is aligned with the center of the width of the raised portion and with the center of the width of the groove, during said friction stir welding.