METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WORKPIECE BY FRICTION WELDING TO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF ABNORMAL GRAIN GROWTH

摘要

A method of manufacturing a workpiece is provided. The method generally includes friction stir welding at least one structural member, selectively- removing material (48, 50) from the surfaces (38, 40) of the workpiece at the location of a friction stir weld joint (20), and thereafter subjecting the workpiece to a solution treat, quench, and age treatment. By selectively removing regions from the surfaces of the workpiece that are defined by nonuniform material properties adapted to nucleate nonuniform grain growth during' the solution treat, quench, and age treatment, a subsequent grain growth during the thermal treatment can be at least partially prevented.