Friction stir welding of metal matrix composites

A fiber-reinforced component is formed of a first composite member including a metal matrix with reinforcing fibers having a diameter and a length distributed therein in a selected orientation and a second composite member including a metal matrix with reinforcing fibers having a diameter and a length distributed therein in a selected orientation. The first composite member is bonded to the second composite member by a solid state bond along a predetermined joint path, such that an average volume fraction of the reinforcing fibers of the first composite member and the second composite member within the joint path is substantially the same as an average volume fraction of the reinforcing fibers of the first composite member and the second composite member within the remainder of the fiber-reinforced component.