A method of friction stir processing (FSP) includes contacting a first workpiece with a FSP tool, where the first workpiece is a low-melting temperature metal or alloy and the FSP tool is a single-body FSP tool having a diamond working surface. The method also includes rotating the FSP tool in contact with the first workpiece at an interface and generating thermal energy at the interface to heat the first workpiece. The method further includes conducting thermal energy away from the interface with the FSP tool, and friction stirring the first workpiece at a temperature of the FSP tool below 800 C.

A method for forming a multilayer structure from a precursor panel having an edge, the method including steps of connecting an attachment member to the precursor panel such that an edge of the attachment member is in alignment with the edge of the precursor panel and applying heat and gas pressure to expand the precursor panel.

A joining method for joining a first member having a hole that is opened on at least one surface, to a second member including a material of which a melting temperature is lower than that of a constituent material of the first member, includes: laminating the second member on the first member so as to cover an opening of the hole; and introducing that material of the second member which is softened or melted into the hole through the opening and curing the material of the second member.

A hollow profile connection to connect at least two hollow profiles via a gusset plate which makes contact with the end regions of the hollow profiles to be connected, in the outer region thereof. At least the end regions of the hollow profiles in cross-section have a profile formed by webs or ribs. The gusset plate is connected to the at least two hollow profiles via a friction-stir weld which run along the ribs or webs of the at least two hollow profiles.

A method for manufacturing a gear includes providing a rim gear, a hub and a core wherein the core is annular and has a core forging temperature below a hot hardness temperature of the rim gear and the hub. The rim gear and the hub are rotated about an axis relative to the core. During the relative rotation, the rim gear and the hub are in contact with the core to generate friction heat to raise an interface temperature of the core to the core forging temperature. The hub is driven into the core to upset a first portion of the core into an outer annular groove defined in a first faying surface of the hub. The rim gear is driven over the core to upset a second portion of the core into an inner annular groove defined in a second faying surface of the rim gear.

A cast part includes a metallic functional region. The functional region extends in a first direction from a first side to a second side of the cast part. The cast part has a surrounding region at least partially surrounding the functional region. The functional region is shaped by a friction-based process. Further disclosed is a piece of equipment, such as an electrical machine which includes a further component and a device for securing the further component against twisting. The device has a connection between the functional region of the cast part and the further component.

A friction stir spot joining apparatus includes a tool configured to be brought into contact with or separated from a surface of a second plate member on the opposite side to a first plate member of the first and second plate members that are overlaid on each other, a driving unit configured to rotationally drive the tool around its axis, a position adjusting unit configured to adjust a relative position between the tool and the second plate member, a control unit configured to control the driving unit and the position adjusting unit, and a breakage detection unit configured to detect breakage of the tool by controlling the control unit to dispose the tool at a contact position with the second plate member or a predetermined pushed position at one joining position.

An airfoil may include an airfoil body, a cover, and a stud. The cover may be disposed on at least one of a suction side and a pressure side of the airfoil body and the stud may extend through the cover and into the airfoil body and the stud may be is joined to the airfoil body and the cover by a friction weld.

A panel structure includes panel members that may be connected together using friction stir welding, Each of the panel members includes a first plate, a second plate substantially in parallel to said first plate, and at least one webbing member connecting the first plate and the second plate. The first plate of the first panel member includes a flange positioned in abutment with a flange located on the first plate of the second panel member. The flange of the first panel member includes a projection and the flange of the second panel member includes a groove. The panel members are connected so that the projection is engaged with the groove to thereby resist relative lateral movement that would separate the panel members.

An overlapping part of a first member and a second member is joined using a tool for friction stir spot welding and a rivet. The first member is disposed on a side where the tool is press-fitted first, and the second member is disposed on a side where the tool is press-fitted last, so that the overlapping part is formed. The tool is press-fitted into the overlapping part to perform friction stirring, thereby forming a friction stirred part in the overlapping part. The rivet is press-fitted into the friction stirred part from the first member side.