Friction stir welding fastener

摘要

A heat assisted friction stir welding system and fastener for use therewith allows the joining a variety of dissimilar materials, including joining composites and plastics to metal, in which the fastener becomes part of the bond. The fastener can be constructed from multiple materials, allowing for the joining of dissimilar metals. Heating the materials to be joined reduces the clamping force and torque required by the friction stir weld process. The result is a bond that is stronger with less energy input.

主权项

1. A friction stir weld fastener system that is configured to fasten two or more objects together via friction stir welding, said fastener system comprising:
a fastener comprising a head and a shaft portion, wherein said shaft portion is configured to protrude through a first object and wherein, when said shaft portion protrudes through the first object, said shaft portion engages a second object, and wherein said head of said fastener does not protrude through the first object; and wherein, at least when protruding through the first object and engaging the second object, said fastener is moved relative to the first and second objects to friction stir weld said fastener to at least the second object, whereby said fastener fastens the first and second objects together.