A joining method includes performing a first heat treatment step on a first superalloy workpiece and a second superalloy workpiece wherein at least one of the first and second superalloy workpieces include a gamma matrix phase and a gamma-prime precipitate phase. The first and second superalloy workpieces are joined using a solid state joining process, subjected to a post-weld stress relief operation and a final aging heat treatment.

A joining method includes performing a first heat treatment step on a first superalloy workpiece and a second superalloy workpiece wherein at least one of the first and second superalloy workpieces include a gamma matrix phase and a gamma-prime precipitate phase. The first and second superalloy workpieces are joined using a solid state joining process, subjected to a post-weld stress relief operation and a final aging heat treatment.

An ironing plate is attached to a friction stir welding apparatus in such a manner that the ironing plate surrounds an outer peripheral portion of a rotating tool and does not rotate together with the rotating tool, an inside diameter of a portion of the ironing plate into which the rotating tool is inserted is larger than the diameter of the rotating tool, and a material inflow path through which an excessive material of two metallic plates flows in is formed between the ironing plate and the rotating tool when the ironing plate is disposed to surround the outer peripheral portion of the rotating tool.

An ironing plate is attached to a friction stir welding apparatus in such a manner that the ironing plate surrounds an outer peripheral portion of a rotating tool and does not rotate together with the rotating tool, an inside diameter of a portion of the ironing plate into which the rotating tool is inserted is larger than the diameter of the rotating tool, and a material inflow path through which an excessive material of two metallic plates flows in is formed between the ironing plate and the rotating tool when the ironing plate is disposed to surround the outer peripheral portion of the rotating tool.

A device (100) for covering the welding area for hot rolling lines consists of an outer container (1), a protective shield (2), a blade-holder (3) with scraping blades, and an actuator (9). Protection occurs by linearly sliding the protective shield (2) outside the outer container (1) up to minimizing the gaps with the billets. The cleaning occurs at the same time as the return to the rest position: the scraping blades, which are integral with the container (1) and are installed in contact with the inner surface of the protective shield (2), slide thereon during the raising, thus colliding with the deposits of solidified material and removing them. Completing the device (100) additionally is a small alternating linear motion of the protective shield (2) during operation to always keep the attachment area of the scraping blades clean, thus avoiding the need for excessive detachment forces at the beginning of the raising.

A device (100) for covering the welding area for hot rolling lines consists of an outer container (1), a protective shield (2), a blade-holder (3) with scraping blades, and an actuator (9). Protection occurs by linearly sliding the protective shield (2) outside the outer container (1) up to minimizing the gaps with the billets. The cleaning occurs at the same time as the return to the rest position: the scraping blades, which are integral with the container (1) and are installed in contact with the inner surface of the protective shield (2), slide thereon during the raising, thus colliding with the deposits of solidified material and removing them. Completing the device (100) additionally is a small alternating linear motion of the protective shield (2) during operation to always keep the attachment area of the scraping blades clean, thus avoiding the need for excessive detachment forces at the beginning of the raising.

A welding machine for welding together the tail of a billet to the head of a second billet along a feeding direction, the machine comprising a carriage adapted to slide along the feeding direction, said carriage supporting a first structure integrally fixed to said carriage; first clamping means, provided on said first structure, for clamping the head of the second billet; a second structure connected to the first structure and sliding, parallel to the feeding direction, with respect to both the first structure and the carriage; second clamping means, provided on said second structure, for clamping the tail of the first billet; wherein first adjustment means are provided for adjusting the position of the second structure with respect to the first structure along said feeding direction; and second adjustment means are provided for adjusting the position of the second structure with respect to the first structure on a plane transversal to the feeding direction, so as to align the second clamping means with the first clamping means along said feeding direction.

A welding machine for welding together the tail of a billet to the head of a second billet along a feeding direction, the machine comprising a carriage adapted to slide along the feeding direction, said carriage supporting a first structure integrally fixed to said carriage; first clamping means, provided on said first structure, for clamping the head of the second billet; a second structure connected to the first structure and sliding, parallel to the feeding direction, with respect to both the first structure and the carriage; second clamping means, provided on said second structure, for clamping the tail of the first billet; wherein first adjustment means are provided for adjusting the position of the second structure with respect to the first structure along said feeding direction; and second adjustment means are provided for adjusting the position of the second structure with respect to the first structure on a plane transversal to the feeding direction, so as to align the second clamping means with the first clamping means along said feeding direction.

A joining method includes performing a first heat treatment step on a first superalloy workpiece and a second superalloy workpiece wherein at least one of the first and second superalloy workpieces include a gamma matrix phase and a gamma-prime precipitate phase. The first and second superalloy workpieces are joined using a solid state joining process, subjected to a post-weld stress relief operation and a final aging heat treatment.

A joining method includes performing a first heat treatment step on a first superalloy workpiece and a second superalloy workpiece wherein at least one of the first and second superalloy workpieces include a gamma matrix phase and a gamma-prime precipitate phase. The first and second superalloy workpieces are joined using a solid state joining process, subjected to a post-weld stress relief operation and a final aging heat treatment.