Low Force Friction Welding is a solid-state welding process that has recently been introduced to the marketplace. The technology employs a combination of resistance-based pre-heating with a translational relative motion to consolidate a joint.
The combination of processing allows reduction of necessary forces (in both the axial and translational directions) and creates joints with relatively low upset profiles. The technology, jointly developed by EWI and Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI), has been successfully applied to a range of material systems, including steels, aluminum alloys, coppers, stainless steels, titanium, and even nickel-base superalloys.