JP5044294B2 - Joining method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for joining metal members using friction stirring.

  Friction stir welding (FSW = Friction Stir Welding) is known as a method for joining metal members. Friction stir welding is a process of rotating a rotating tool along the abutting portion between metal members, and plastically flowing the metal at the abutting portion by frictional heat between the rotating tool and the metal member, so that the metal members are solid-phased. It is what is joined. In general, the rotating tool is formed by protruding a stirring pin (probe) on the lower end surface of a cylindrical shoulder portion.

  In the friction stir welding, it is necessary to firmly fix the metal members in a state of abutting each other so as not to cause a bonding defect due to a shift of the metal members caused by the movement of the rotary tool.

  Conventionally, the metal member is fixed in the friction stir welding by fastening both ends of the metal member placed on the support base to the support base using a jig such as a clamp with the abutting portions attached to each other. Had gone more.

However, in such a fixing method, the surface of the metal plate may be bent.
Therefore, in order to correct the bending, there are cases where a large number of clamps are arranged at predetermined intervals and the metal plate is fastened to the support base.

Further, in Patent Document 1, as a method of fixing a metal member in friction stir welding, a fixing claw disposed on one side of a support base and a horizontal shaft protruding from the other side are slidably mounted. A fixing method using a vise is disclosed.
JP 2001-205453 A

  However, in the fixing method described in Patent Document 1, since it is pressed through a vise installed on the side of the metal member that is separated from the abutting portion between the metal members, it cannot be fixed in the vicinity of the abutting portion. Therefore, at the time of friction stir welding, there is a possibility that the abutting portion may be displaced due to the movement of the rotary tool.

  Therefore, it is necessary to press in the vicinity of the abutting portion using a jig provided with an arm extending from the side of the metal member, but fixing via the arm cannot obtain a sufficient pressing force. There was a fear. In addition, when the metal member is fixed from above using the arm, the arm straddles the joint and sometimes prevents the rotation tool from moving.

  From this point of view, the present invention is a method for joining metal members by friction stir at the abutting portion between the metal members, and the metal is firmly formed in the vicinity of the abutting portion without obstructing the trajectory of the rotary tool. It is an object of the present invention to provide a joining method capable of performing friction stir welding between metal members with high accuracy by fixing the members.

A joining method according to the present invention for solving such a problem is a method of joining a plurality of metal members by friction stir welding, wherein the metal members are joined in a state in which the butted surfaces of the metal members to be joined are abutted. Is inserted into a through hole formed in at least one of the metal members, and the metal member is pressed against the support base from above using the bolt, and then the metal It is characterized by friction stir welding between members.

  According to such a joining method, the metal member can be fixed in the vicinity of the abutting portion without using an arm crossing the joining line (abutting portion between the metal members) in the friction stir welding, so that the track of the rotary tool Is not hindered, and the metal member is not moved by the movement of the rotary tool. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform high-quality joining.

  Further, in the joining method, the bolt presses the metal member via a press plate disposed above the metal member.

  According to such a joining method, when the metal member is fixed via the bolt, the presser plate is interposed, so that the tightening force of the bolt can be dispersed to reduce the burden on the metal member. For this reason, the metal member is prevented from being damaged by the tightening force of the bolt.

  Moreover, the protective material may be arrange | positioned at the surface at the side of the said metal member of the said press board, and the resin material may be sufficient as the said protective material. This prevents the metal member from being damaged when the metal member is pressed by the upper plate.

  Moreover, in the said joining method, if the joining line support member is arrange | positioned in the lower surface of the butt | matching part of the said metal members, the track | orbit of a rotation tool will be supported from the surface on the opposite side to a rotation tool on both sides of a metal member. Therefore, it is possible to perform high-quality joining simply and inexpensively without shifting the abutting surfaces.

  According to the metal member joining method of the present invention, since the metal member is firmly fixed in the vicinity of the abutting portion without interfering with the trajectory of the rotary tool, it is possible to perform high-quality friction stir welding between the metal members. Become.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a case where three metal members 10 (first metal member 11, second metal member 12, and third metal member 13) are joined by friction stir welding will be described. In addition, each direction in description shall be unified into the direction shown in FIG.

  The shape and size of each metal member 10 is not limited and can be set as appropriate. In the present embodiment, a first metal member 11 made of a hollow extruded shape having a rectangular cross section, and a second metal member 12 and a third metal member 13 made of a hollow extruded shape having a substantially T-shaped outer cross section are used. And in this embodiment, the case where the 2nd metal member 12 and the 3rd metal member 13 of a cross section substantially T-shape are joined to the right and left of the 1st metal member 11 is demonstrated.

  In addition, the material which comprises the metal member 10 is not limited, What is necessary is just to select and use from a well-known material suitably, However, In this embodiment, the metal member 10 made from an aluminum alloy is used.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, convex portions 11b, 12b, and 13b projecting upward and downward are formed at locations corresponding to the abutting portions J between the metal members 10, respectively. Although the cross-sectional shape of the convex portions 11b, 12b, and 13b is not limited, it has a height and thickness that can express the strength required as a completed member by being joined by friction stir welding. .
In addition, as for each convex part 11b, 12b, 13b, the width dimension at the time of attaching the convex part 11b and the convex part 12b, and the convex part 11b and the convex part 13b is the shoulder diameter of the rotating tool A (the outer diameter of the shoulder part A1). ) (See FIGS. 5A and 5B).

  The abutting surfaces 11a and 11a of the first metal member 11 are flat as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the abutting surfaces 12a and 13a of the second metal member 12 and the third metal member 13 have a recess in advance in the middle so that a gap is formed when they abut against the abutting surface 11a of the first metal member 11. Is formed. As described above, the recesses are formed in the intermediate portions of the abutting surfaces 12a and 13a of the second metal member 12 and the third metal member 13, so that the upper and lower sides of the abutting surfaces 12a and 13a (including the convex portions 12b and 13b) are also included. Closely contacts the abutting surfaces 11a, 11a of the first metal member 11. When the abutting surfaces made of flat surfaces are abutted with each other, there is a case where high-quality friction stir welding cannot be performed without contact due to unevenness of the abutting surfaces, but the metal member 10 according to the present embodiment has a mutual abutting portion J. Since the gap is formed in the gap, the gap absorbs the unevenness of the abutting surface, and the metal parts 10 are closely adhered to each other with respect to the joining portion where the friction stir welding is performed above the gap, so that high quality friction stirring is achieved. It is possible to perform bonding.

  In the present embodiment, the recesses are formed on the abutting surfaces 12 a and 13 a of the second metal member 12 and the third metal member 13, but the recesses are formed on the abutting surface 11 a of the first metal member 11. Good. Needless to say, the shape of the abutting surfaces 11a, 12a, 13a between the metal members 10 is not limited to the above-described shape. Moreover, although the thickness dimension of the abutting surfaces 11a, 12a, and 13a of each metal member 10 is not limited, they are all the same in this embodiment. Moreover, the depth of the dent (gap width) formed in the abutting surfaces 12a and 13a is not limited and may be set as appropriate. In the drawings (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5), the depth of the recess formed in the abutting surfaces 12a and 13a is shown large, but the depth of the recess is such that a slight gap is formed. If it is.

  The joining method according to the present embodiment is based on a butting process in which the metal members 10 are butted together, a restraining process in which the metal members 10, 10, and 10 are restrained to the support base 20, and a butting portion J between the metal members 10. And a joining step in which heat processing is continuously performed.

  In the abutting step, as shown in FIG. 1, the metal members 10, 10, 10 are placed on the support base 20 in a state where the abutting surfaces 11 a, 12 a, 13 a of the metal members 10 to be joined are abutted. Specifically, the central first metal member 11 is disposed between the left and right second metal members 12 and the third metal member 13, and is supported in a state in which the abutting surfaces 11a, 12a, and 13a are abutted with each other. Place on the table 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support base 20 has left and right pedestals 22, 23 in the space between the pedestals 22, 23 and the pedestals 22, 23 with a space in the center. The support plate 24 is sandwiched between the support plate 24, the pedestals 22 and 23, and the support base body 21 that supports the support plate 24 from below.

  The pedestals 22 and 23 are members disposed on the upper surface of the support base body 21 in order to adjust the height position of the metal member 10 (butting portion J) that performs friction stir welding, and at least one of the bases 22 and 23 is the support base body 21. The fixed position can be changed in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the plate. The pedestals 22 and 23 are fixed to the support base body 21 in a state where the support plate 24 is sandwiched by changing the width dimension of the space between them according to the width dimension of the support plate 24. The method for fixing the pedestals 22 and 23 to the support base body 21 is not limited and is appropriately performed by known means.

  The support plate 24 is a member disposed on the upper surface of the support base body 21 in order to adjust the height position of the metal member 10 (butting portion J) that performs friction stir welding. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the support plate 24 is a metal plate, and is placed on the upper surface of the support base body 21 and sandwiched between the left and right pedestals 22 and 23. It is fixed to the main body 21 so as not to move. The method for fixing the support plate 24 to the support base body 21 is not limited, and may be appropriately performed by a known method.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, at both ends of the upper surface of the support plate 24, joint lines for supporting the abutting portions J of the metal members 11, 12, 13 mounted on the support base 20 from the lower surface. Support members 25 are provided. A support member 26 for supporting the first metal member 11 is disposed at the center of the upper surface of the support plate 24.

  The support plate 24 is formed with insertion holes for inserting the bolts 25a and 26a at a predetermined pitch at corresponding portions of the joining line support members 25 and 25 and the support member 26. Further, screw holes 24a, 24a,... For screwing bolts 30 described later are formed at predetermined intervals between the joining line support members 25, 25 and the support member 26 in the support plate 24. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the joining line support member 25 is configured to come into contact with the lower surface of the abutting portion J with the metal member 10 placed on the support base 20. It is a member which supports the butt | matching part J from the other side. The joining line support member 25 has a sufficient proof strength against the pressure at the time of friction stir welding, and is fixed to the support plate 24 so as not to move due to this pressure.

The joining line support member 25 is fixed to the support plate 24 by being screwed with a bolt 25a that passes through the support plate 24, as shown in FIG. Needless to say, the method of fixing the joining line support member 25 to the support plate 24 is not limited.
In the present embodiment, the support plate 24 and the joining line support member 25 are configured as separate members so that the shape can be changed according to the shape of the metal members 11, 12, and 13. The support plate 24 and the joining line support member 25 may be integrally formed in advance.

  The support member 26 is a member that supports the first metal member 11 in an auxiliary manner, and may be disposed as necessary. In this embodiment, when the metal member 10 is mounted on the support base 20, a slight gap is formed between the first metal member 11 and the support member 26. That is, when the first metal member 11 and the support member 26 are always in contact with each other, when the contact surface of the first metal member 11 or the support member 26 is uneven, the abutting portion between the metal members 10 is used. Since there is a possibility that deviation occurs in J, it is configured to avoid such an error. The support member 26 serves to support the first metal member 11 from below when the first metal member 11 is bent during friction stir welding or tightening with the bolt 30.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the support member 26 is fixed to the support plate 24 by being screwed by a bolt 26 a that passes through the support plate 24, as in the case of the joining line support member 25.
In addition, the arrangement | positioning pitch of the volt | bolt 25a and the volt | bolt 26a is not limited, What is necessary is just to set suitably.

  In the restraining step, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the metal members 10, 10, 10 are restrained to the support base 20 through a bolt 30, a jig 40, a vise 50 and the like so as not to move.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first metal member 11 inserts a bolt 30 into an insertion hole formed in the first metal member 11, and screws the tip of the bolt 30 into a screw hole 24 a of the support plate 24. Thus, the first metal member 11 is pressed against the support base 20 from above.
In addition, the pitch which presses the 1st metal member 11 is not limited, What is necessary is just to set suitably.

  At this time, a pressing plate 31 is interposed between the head 30a of the bolt 30 and the first metal member 11, and the pressing force by the bolt 30 is dispersed by the pressing plate 31, whereby the first metal The member 11 is configured to press the surface.

  In the present embodiment, as an insertion hole for inserting the bolt 30, an insertion hole formed in advance according to the purpose of use of the completed member completed by joining the metal members 11, 12, 13 is used. To do. In addition, formation of the insertion hole to the 1st metal member 11 may be formed before mounting to the support stand 20, or may be formed after mounting. Further, the insertion hole may be used only at the time of joining as long as it does not hinder the use of the completed member and can maintain the strength required for the completed member.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the presser plate 31 is a metal plate material, and has two insertion holes 31 a for inserting the bolts 30. Further, a protective material 32 is disposed on the lower surface (the surface on the first metal member 11 side) of the presser plate 31, and the presser plate 31 directly contacts the first metal member 11, so that the first metal member 11 is contacted. It is configured so that damage (such as scratches) does not occur. The number of insertion holes 31a formed in the holding plate 31 is not limited and may be set as appropriate.

  In the present embodiment, three protective members 32 made of a resin member are fixed to the presser plate 31. The number of protective materials 32 is not limited and may be set as appropriate. Further, the protective material 32 may be disposed on the entire lower surface of the presser plate 31. In this embodiment, the protective material 32 is fixed to the presser plate 31 via a fastener 32a such as a screw. For example, the protective material 32 may be bonded via an adhesive. It is not limited.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second metal member 12 and the third metal member 13 are in the vicinity of the abutting portion J by the jig 40 provided with the arm 41 and at the same pitch as the presser plate 31. It is pressed against the support base 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the jig 40 according to this embodiment includes an arm 41, a fixing bolt 42, and an auxiliary member 43. The arm 41 is made of a metal plate and has a strength that does not deform due to the pressing force of the fixing bolt 42. The arm 41 has a length that allows the upper surface of the auxiliary member 43 to be pressed by the tip, straddling the protruding portion of the second metal member 12 or the third metal member 13 having a substantially T-shaped cross section. Further, an insertion hole through which the fixing bolt 42 is inserted is formed at the rear end of the arm 41.

  The fixing bolt 42 presses the arm 41 downward by screwing the tip of the fixing bolt 42 to the bases 22 and 23 in a state where the fixing bolt 42 is inserted through the insertion hole of the arm 41. The pressing force of the fixing bolt 42 is transmitted to the second metal member 12 or the third metal member 13 via the arm 41.

  The auxiliary member 43 is disposed on the upper surface of the second metal member 12 or the third metal member 13 and corresponding to the tip of the arm 41. The shape of the auxiliary member 43 is formed according to the shape of the second metal member 12 or the third metal member 13. Further, the auxiliary member 43 is configured by a resin member so that the second metal member 12 or the third metal member 13 is not damaged (scratched or the like).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the metal member 10 is pressed laterally by a vise 50 so that the abutting surfaces are not separated from the left and right. The method for pressing the metal members 11, 12, 13 in the lateral direction is not limited to this.

  The pressing of the metal member 10 in the lateral direction is performed by holding the metal member 10 with a vise 50 fixed to the left pedestal 22 and a receiving member 51 fixed to the right pedestal 23. Auxiliary plates 52 and 52 are interposed between the vise 50 and the second metal member 12 and between the receiving member 51 and the third metal member 13, respectively. The entire surfaces of the abutting portions J and J are configured to be in close contact with each other.

  In this embodiment, the vise 50 and the receiving member 51 are fixed to the pedestals 22 and 23 by screwing with bolts, respectively, but the fixing method of the vise 50 and the receiving member 51 is limited. Instead, it may be performed by known means as appropriate.

  As described above, the metal members 10, 10, and 10 are restrained by the support base 20 so as not to move in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

In the joining step, friction stir is continuously performed on the abutting portion J. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the stirring pin A2 of the rotated rotary tool A is provided on the upper surface of the convex portions 11b and 13b (12b) from above the convex portions 11b and 13b (12b). In addition to inserting (press-fitting) into the starting position S, the friction stir is continuously performed by relatively moving along the friction stir route set so as to include the abutting portion J without detaching the inserted stirring pin A2 in the middle. Then, the stirring pin A2 may be detached upward at the end position.
When the rotary tool A is rotated and moved along the abutting portion J, the metal of the abutting portion J is plastically fluidized by frictional heat between the rotating tool A and the metal, as shown in FIG. Are solid phase bonded. In the present embodiment, friction stir welding is performed above the gap formed between the abutting surfaces 11a and 13a (12a) so that the convex portions 11b, 12b, and 13b of each metal member 10 remain after the joining. .

  Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the form etc. of the rotation tool A, In this embodiment, what is shown to Fig.5 (a) is used. The rotating tool A shown in FIG. 5A is made of a metal material harder than the object to be joined, such as tool steel, and has a columnar shoulder portion A1 and a stirring pin protruding from the lower end surface A11 of the shoulder portion A1. (Probe) A2. The lower end surface A11 of the shoulder portion A1 is a part that plays a role of preventing plastic scattering by pressing the plastic fluidized metal, and is formed in a concave shape in this embodiment. The stirring pin A2 hangs down from the center of the lower end surface A11 of the shoulder portion A1, and is formed into a tapered truncated cone shape in this embodiment. In addition, a stirring blade engraved in a spiral shape is formed on the peripheral surface of the stirring pin A2.

  The moving speed (feeding speed) of the rotary tool A is set according to the size and shape of the stirring pin A2, the material and thickness of the metal member 10 and the like that are frictionally stirred. When the rotary tool A is moved, the metal around the stirring pin A2 is plastically fluidized at the same time, and the plastic fluidized metal is hardened again at a position away from the stirring pin A2.

  According to the joining method described above, since the metal member 10 is fixed via the bolt 30 and the jig 40 in the vicinity of the joint portion between the metal members 10, the rotation tool A during the friction stir welding is used. Due to the movement, there is no deviation in the abutting portion J, and the joining can be performed with high accuracy.

  Further, the fixing of each metal member 10 to the support base 20 is preferable because it is performed without interfering with the track during the friction stir welding of the rotary tool A.

  Further, since the first metal member 11 is fixed in a state where the presser plate 31 is interposed, the tightening force of the bolt 30 is dispersed by the presser plate 31 and pressed in a surface, so that the first metal member 11 is fixed to the first metal member 11. It is possible to reduce the burden. Therefore, the first metal member 11 is prevented from being damaged by the tightening force of the bolt 30.

  Further, since the protective material 32 made of a resin member is disposed on the surface of the presser plate 31, the first metal member 11 is prevented from being damaged when the first metal member 11 is pressed by the presser plate 31. To do.

  Moreover, since the joining line support member 25 is arrange | positioned in the lower surface of the butt | matching part J of metal members 10, it supports the track | orbit of the rotation tool A from the surface on the opposite side to the rotation tool A on both sides of the metal member 10. This prevents the butt surface J from shifting during friction stir welding. Therefore, high-quality joining can be performed easily and inexpensively.

As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment was described about this invention, this invention is not limited to each said embodiment, A design change is possible suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the case where three metal members are joined has been described, but the number of metal members joined in the joining method of the present invention is not limited.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, it fixed with the volt | bolt about the metal member of the center, and about the metal member of the right and left both sides via the jig | tool provided with the arm, For example, about all the metal members The fixing method of each metal member is not limited to the method of the above-described embodiment, such as fixing through a bolt using an insertion hole formed in the metal member.

  Moreover, you may fix with a clamp etc., without using the jig | tool provided with the arm about fixation of a 2nd metal member and a 3rd metal member.

  Further, the presser plate may be disposed as necessary, and may be omitted. Similarly, the protective material can be omitted.

  Further, when the lower surface of the metal member to be joined is not uneven and the lower surface is flat, the abutting portion may be directly supported by the support base without the need for the joining line support member.

It is a perspective view which shows the fixation condition of the metal member which concerns on the joining method of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the fixation state of the metal member shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of support stand, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view. It is a figure which shows a pressing board, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view. (A) And (b) is sectional drawing for demonstrating a joining process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Metal member 11 1st metal member 12 2nd metal member 13 3rd metal member 20 Support stand 25 Joining line support member 30 Bolt 31 Holding plate 40 Jig J Butt part

Claims (4)

A method of joining a plurality of metal members by friction stir welding,
In a state where the abutting surfaces of the metal members to be joined are abutted with each other, the metal member is placed on a support base, a bolt is inserted into an insertion hole formed in at least one of the metal members, and the bolt is used. Then, after pressing the metal member to the support base from above, the metal members are friction stir welded together,
Joining method. The bolt is characterized in that the metal member is pressed through a press plate disposed above the metal member.
The joining method according to claim 1. A protective material is disposed on the surface of the pressing plate on the metal member side,
The joining method according to claim 2. A bonding line support member is disposed on the lower surface of the abutting portion between the metal members,
The joining method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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