FRICTION STIR WELDING AS A RIVET REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY

摘要

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for joining aluminum alloy panels (29, 29)(e.g. 2090-T83 aluminum lithium alloy). The method preliminarily positions two panels (28, 29) next to each other so tha t a stringer panel (28) overlaps a skin panel (29). A friction stir weld pin tool (10) penetrates through one panel (28) and at least partially into another panel (29). The panel material around the pin tool (10) is frictionally heated.