An airfoil includes a first airfoil piece and a second airfoil piece bonded to the first airfoil piece at a joint. The first airfoil piece and the second airfoil piece are formed of aluminum alloys. At least one of the aluminum alloys is an aluminum alloy composition that has greater than 0.8% by weight of zinc.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a component 1 by additive manufacturing. The method comprises providing a work surface 2 on which the component 1 is to be manufactured, and providing at least one deposition material 3 from which the component 1 is to be composed. The deposition material, typically in the form of wire, is advanced to a localized deposition area 4 where it is added to the component 1 being manufactured. The method further comprises focusing at least one light beam 5 of incoherent light emitted from at least one heating source 6 in the deposition area 4 so that the deposition material 3 is deposited for building up the component 1. At least one light focusing mirror 7 and/or lens 11 is used to focus the incoherent light in the deposition area 4. The invention further relates to the use of such a method in space, such as on a space station, on a space craft or on parabolic flights for testing.

There is provided a feed material, wherein the feed material has an elongated body that includes an amount of an alloy filler material and an amount of one or more elemental metal additives effective to scavenge at least one tramp element upon melting of the feed material.

An apparatus and method for fastening dissimilar metals like steel and aluminum utilizes a steel rivet and a spot welding machine. The rivet and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the rivet to penetrate the aluminum and weld to the steel layer. The fastener may be used to join stacks with several layers of different materials and may be used to apply a threaded socket or stud made from steel or titanium to an aluminum or magnesium alloy structure. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastic and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using the fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole.

An apparatus and method for fastening dissimilar metals like steel and aluminum utilizes a steel rivet and a spot welding machine. The rivet and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the rivet to penetrate the aluminum and weld to the steel layer. The fastener may be used to join stacks with several layers of different materials and may be used to apply a threaded socket or stud made from steel or titanium to an aluminum or magnesium alloy structure. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastic and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using the fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole.

The exposed metal tip of the strike end of an SMAW welding electrode is covered with a protective coating formed from a binder and metal particles. Because metal particles rather than graphite particles are used to provide electrical conductivity to this protective coating, flare-up of the arc when initially struck is eliminated substantially completely. In addition, the potential for weld porosity problems is also eliminated, because the metal particles of the inventive electrode do not produce CO.sub.2 as a reaction by-product which can ultimately lead to improper welding technique.

An apparatus and method for fastening dissimilar metals like steel and aluminum utilizes a steel rivet and a spot welding machine. The rivet and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the rivet to penetrate the aluminum and weld to the steel layer. The fastener may be used to join stacks with several layers of different materials and may be used to apply a threaded socket or stud made from steel or titanium to an aluminum or magnesium alloy structure. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastic and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using the fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole.

A clad aluminum alloy material exhibiting favorable corrosion resistance and brazeability in an alkaline environment is shown by a clad aluminum alloy material with excellent brazeability and corrosion resistance in which one surface of an aluminum alloy core material is clad with a sacrificial anode material and the other surface is clad with brazing filler material. The core material includes an aluminum alloy of Si: 0.3-1.5%, Fe: 0.1-1.5%, Cu: 0.2-1.0%, Mn: 1.0-2.0%, and Si content+Fe content 0.8%, wherein the 1-20 m equivalent circle diameter AlMnSiFe-based intermetallic compound density is 3.010.sup.5 to 1.010.sup.6 pieces/cm.sup.2, and the 0.1 m to less than 1 m equivalent circle diameter AlMnSiFe-based intermetallic compound density is at least 1.010.sup.7 pieces/cm.sup.2. The sacrificial anode material includes an aluminum alloy containing Si: 0.1-0.6%, Zn: 1.0-5.0%, and Ni: 0.1-2.0%.

Disclosed is an aluminum composite material including an aluminum alloy material containing magnesium, and a bonding material formed by brazing using a flux, the bonding material being adapted to bond the aluminum alloy material thereto. In the aluminum composite material, the bonding material contains a magnesium-containing compound other than KMgF.sub.3 and MgF.sub.2. The present invention provides an aluminum composite material with satisfactory brazeability to an aluminum alloy material containing magnesium, a heat exchanger including the aluminum composite material, and a flux suitable for use in braze.

Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming a connection mechanism in or on a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy by casting in or on, or forming with the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy, a machinable metal. The connection mechanism can be formed by machining the machinable metal.