Tooling for friction stir processing
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsMichael R. Eller, Kevin John Schuengel, Mark Steven Gambino
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A friction stir processing system can include a rotatable die assembly. The rotatable die assembly can include a die body and a plurality of die segments. The die body includes a die base and a die stem. The die stem extends axially from the die base, the die stem defines an extrusion cavity, and the die body is formed from a first material. The plurality of die stems are coupled to the die stem. The plurality of die segments are disposed around the extrusion cavity to collectively form a die surface opposite to the die base. The plurality of die segments are formed from a different material than the die body.
Claims20
A friction stir processing system, comprising:
- a rotatable die assembly comprising:
- a die body defining a die base and a die stem, wherein the die stem extends axially from the die base, the die stem defines an extrusion cavity;
- multi-piece die segments individually coupled to the die stem;
- and
- a mandrel assembly, wherein the multi-piece die segments are disposed around the extrusion cavity to collectively form i) a die surface opposite to the die base and ii) an opening configured to receive the mandrel assembly.
A friction stir processing system, comprising:
- a rotatable die assembly comprising:
- a die body defining a die base and a die stem, wherein the die stem extends axially from the die base, the die stem defines an extrusion cavity, and the die body is formed from a first material;
- and
- a die surface portion coupled to the die stem, wherein the die surface portion defines a conical face having a spiral scroll feature, the die surface portion is disposed around the extrusion cavity, the die surface portion is formed from a second material, and the second material is different than the first material.
A method comprising:
- rotating a die surface of a die assembly against a billet, wherein the die assembly comprises a multi-piece die segments individually coupled to a die stem, the multi-piece die segments collectively form i) the die surface and ii) an opening;
- receiving a mandrel assembly through the opening;
- and
- plasticizing the billet into a product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.