Patent ID: 7530486

Claim:
A method for friction stir welding high melting temperature materials by applying at least one additional degree of motion to a friction stir welding tool, said method comprising: providing a friction stir welding tool wherein the friction stir welding tool is capable of functionally friction stir welding high melting temperature materials by applying standard friction stir welding motions defined as rotational movement, vertical movement defined as plunging into and removal of the tool from the materials, and transverse travel of the friction stir welding tool; functionally friction stir welding two high melting temperature workpieces using the friction stir welding tool; superimposing during friction stir welding by active application of direct force on the friction stir welding tool at least one additional degree of motion on the rotational motion by introducing through direct force to the friction stir welding tool a reciprocating up-and-down motion relative to the workpiece that is a function of increased energy transmission to the workpieces and not thickness thereof, in addition to the standard friction stir welding motions, said direct force causing the tool to regularly repeat the reciprocating up-and-down motion to thereby increase the amount of energy being directed to the process of friction stir welding; introducing side-to-side motion, relative to the workpiece, in addition to the standard friction stir welding motions; and producing a friction stir weld between the two workpieces.