Friction stir welding apparatus and method

Abstract

A friction stir welding method in which a welding tool rotating around an axis is pressed against a welding target portion of workpieces supported by a backing member so that frictional heat is generated and the friction heat softens the welding target portion. The welding tool is at least partially inserted into the softened welding target portion and stirs the softened welding target portion so that the welding target portion is stir welded in a solid phase state. The friction stir welding method includes detecting a temperature of a temperature measurement point provided in the backing member, and calculating an estimated temperature of the welding tool from the detected temperature of the temperature measurement point, based on a predefined correlation between a temperature of the welding tool and a temperature of the backing member.

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