Method of welding tubular components

Two tubular components are provided with integral end caps. The end caps are placed in abutting relationship and are held together under pressure whilst the tubular component is rotated. A pressure is applied and this causes frictional heating. A friction welded joint occurs at the interface between the two end caps. On completion of the welding process a machining tool is then passed through the internal bore ( or ) in either of the tubular components. The machining tool cuts through the joined end caps to produce a single uniform bore thorough the joined components. In a further post processing operation the extruded flash is removed from the outer surfaces.