Inertia friction welding (IFW) for aerospace applications

The use of inertia welding in the aerospace industry has been steadily increasing owing to the significant improvements it provides in joint quality, compared with the use of fusion welding. This chapter introduces the process, with respect to its operation, parameters, differences from other friction welding techniques and equipment. It also explains the application of the technique and the selection of the process parameters, and the different mathematical, analytical and numerical approaches that are used to model the thermal fields and residual stress development. Details of the microstructural, mechanical properties and residual stress development in inertia friction-welded Ni-based superalloys, titanium alloys, steels and other alloys are also discussed.