WELDED STRUCTURE, AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To subject two or more metal parts to friction stir welding in uses at very high temperature regions in generation nuclear and solar power plants. SOLUTION: A welded structure 110 being formed with friction stir welding (FSW) system 112 includes metal parts 114, 116 which abut each other at an intersection 118. The friction stir welding system 112 includes a controller 122, a tool 124, and a pin 126. The pin 126 extends from the bottom surface of the tool 124 and is pressed into the metal parts 114, 116 during a FSW operation. As the tool 124 and pin 126 move along the intersection 118, the rotation of the tool 124 and pin 126 frictionally heat the ODS (Oxide dispersion strengthened) and other alloys of metal parts 114, 116 at the intersection 118. The heated alloys enter a plastic-like state, and are stirred by the rotational motion of the tool 124 and pin 126, thereby creating a welded joint 120 at the intersection 118. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT