A Review on Rotary and Linear Friction Welding of Inconel Alloys

Inconel alloys are one of the materials of choice for high temperature applications whether it is aerospace, nuclear or gas turbine. This is due to their excellent mechanical and non-corrosion properties even under harsh environments at elevated temperatures. Joining Inconel alloys through conventional fusion welding techniques have posed many different problems and hence, solid state joining processes could well be an alternative welding method for these alloys, wherever the design permits. Friction welding being a solid state welding process, is well established for its capability of producing high quality welds and joining dissimilar metals. In this paper, Inconel alloys are introduced initially, and then friction welding in general has been discussed. Thereafter, the published works on the friction welding of Inconel alloys are reviewed with an emphasis on microstructural and mechanical properties of similar and dissimilar Inconel weld joints.