Friction welding
A welding tool for friction welding a workpiece, the tool including: a probe having a core including a ceramic material, the probe having a surface coating including a metallic material covering at least part of a contact zone of the probe.
1. A friction welding tool comprising:
a probe comprising a ceramic material, the probe being manufactured with a surface coating consisting of a metal covering and bonded to at least part of a contact zone of the probe, the metallic coating comprising any of titanium copper, nickel and steel.
2. A tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the ceramic material comprises any of alumina (Al2O3), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon carbide (SiC), Sialon, ytrria, ceramic metal composite (Cermet), Ceramic composite and reinforced ceramic composite.
3. A tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the metallic coating is chemically compatible with the ceramic material.
4. A tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the metallic coating has a thickness between 1 and 1000 microns.
5. A tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the tool comprises a shoulder, the shoulder having a coating comprising the metallic material.
6. A tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the metallic coating is applied by any of spray coating, vacuum plasma spraying.
7. A tool according to claim 1 , wherein
the surface of the metallic coating is polished to provide a smooth contact surface.
8. A friction welding apparatus comprising a welding tool in accordance with claim 1 and a workpiece to be welded.
9. A friction welding apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein
the workpiece comprises any of titanium, nickel, steel, magnesium, aluminium, nickel and alloys thereof.
10. A friction welding apparatus according to claim 8 wherein
the worpiece is formed of a metallic material of a same type as the metallic material covering the at least part of the contact zone of the probe.
11. A method of friction welding a workpiece comprising:
providing a workpiece comprising a workpiece material;
providing a in accordance with claim 1 ; and
friction welding the workpiece using the tool.
12. A method of friction welding according to claim 11 , wherein
the method comprises any of friction stir welding, linear friction welding and rotational friction welding.