FrictionMelt Bonding: an innovative process applied to the joining ofdissimilar materials in a lap-joint configuration

A dissimilar welding process, patented at UCLouvain, called Friction Melt Bonding[۱-۷], involves the local melting of a low melting point alloy (typically aluminum) to joinit to a high melting point alloy (typically steel or titanium), Figure ۱. The formation ofthe joint is insured by the formation of an intermetallic at the interface between bothalloys and its composition is modified to lead to enhanced fracture toughness. Recentadvances concern the robotization of the process and the welding of titanium toaluminum alloys.