Patent ID: 8967451
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A method of friction stir welding a first base material to a second base material where at least one of the first and second base materials comprises a steel, comprising: mounting a non-consumable tool into a spindle of a friction stir welding apparatus; operating the apparatus at a spindle run out that allows welding at a critical transverse velocity to form a weld from the first and second base materials by advancing the tool along a joint between the first and second base materials; wherein the weld has at least one of a tensile strength, a yield strength, and a Charpy impact strength that is equal or greater than that of the weaker of the first and second base materials; and wherein the spindle run out at zero load is equal or less than 5×10E-4 inch, and wherein the critical transverse velocity is at least 12 inches per minute.