Patent ID: 8757470
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A friction stir welding method in which: a welding tool rotating around an axis is pressed against a welding target portion of workpieces supported by a backing member, so that frictional heat is generated and the friction heat softens the welding target portion; and the welding tool is at least partially inserted into the softened welding target portion and stirs the softened welding target portion, so that the welding target portion is stir welded in a solid phase state, the friction stir welding method comprising: detecting a temperature of a temperature measurement point provided in the backing member; and using a program to calculate an estimated temperature of the welding tool from the detected temperature of the temperature measurement point, based on a predefined correlation between a temperature of the welding tool and a temperature of the backing member.