Method of friction welding, and frictionally welded structure

Abstract

Plate parts (1, 2) to be joined are formed with flat meeting surfaces (1A, 2A) and beveled surfaces (1B, 2B) at the respective joining ends, and fixed in a welding position with the flat meeting surfaces (1A, 2A) in abutting engagement with each other. In this state, a cladding material (4) is pressed against a groove (3) between the two plate parts (1, 2) and at the same time put in high speed rotation. Heat of high temperature is generated by friction between contacting surfaces of the plate parts (1, 2) and the cladding material (4). As the cladding material (4) is moved along the meeting surfaces (1A, 2A), part of plasticized cladding material at the lower end of the cladding material (4) is left and deposited on the front side of the groove (3), contributing to increase the cladding volume of a weld portion (5) on the front side of the groove (3) and to enhance the strength of bondage between the two plate parts (1, 2).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.