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Initial Study of Friction Pull Plug WeldingPull plug friction welding is a new process being developed to conveniently eliminate defects from welded plate tank structures. The general idea is to drill a hole of precise, optimized dimensions and weld a plug into it, filling the hole perfectly. A conically-shaped plug is rotated at high angular velocity as it is brought into contact with the plate material in the hole. As the plug is pulled into the hole, friction rapidly raises the temperature to the point at which the plate material flows plastically. After a brief heating phase, the plug rotation is terminated. The plug is then pulled upon with a forging force, solidly welding the plug into the hole in the plate. Three aspects of this process were addressed in this study. The transient temperature distribution was analyzed based on slightly idealized boundary conditions for different plug geometries. Variations in hole geometry and ram speed were considered, and a program was created to calculate volumes of displaced material and empty space, as well as many other relevant dimensions. The relation between the axially applied forging force and the actual forging pressure between the plate and plug surfaces was determined for various configurations.
Document ID
20020043213
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Other
Authors
Rich, Brian S.
(Tennessee Technological Univ. Cookeville, TN United States)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: 1999 NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program
Subject Category
Mechanical Engineering
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGT8-52874
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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