Radiation assisted friction welding

摘要

There are provided an apparatus and method for friction welding structural members. The apparatus includes a connected shank and probe. The probe defines an absorption surface and a cavity extending thereto. The absorption surface is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source such as a light source or RF generator. The radiation heats the probe, supplementing the heat generated by friction between the probe and the structural members, and thereby increasing the speed at which the probe can be used to frictionally weld the structural materials.