The present invention provides an improved structural assembly constructed of a plurality of structural members secured together. At least one of the plurality of structural members defines a first region characterized by comparatively high operational stress and a second region having a locally refined grain structure positioned such that the second region at least partially encompasses the first region to thereby enhance the strength, toughness and fatigue resistance of the at least one structural member in the first region. The present invention also provides a method for selectively improving the strength, toughness and fatigue resistance of a structural member in a region of high operational stress including the steps of casting the structural member in a pre-selected configuration. Regions of the structural member having comparatively high operational stress are identified. The structural member is secured to prevent movement. The region of the structural member having comparatively high operational stress is then mixed with a rotating friction stir welding probe to locally refine the grain structure of the structural member within the region of high operational stress to thereby improve the strength, toughness and fatigue resistance of the structural member in the region. The structural member can be secured to other structural members to form the frame of an aircraft. The improved structural assembly will have an increased operational life, as well as require less stock material with a corresponding decrease in the overall weight of the assembly.
Grain refinement of structural members
Kornfeinung eines Bauelementes
Affinage du grain pour éléments structurels
2019-03-27
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge / C22F CHANGING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF NON-FERROUS METALS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS , Verändern der physikalischen Struktur von Nichteisenmetallen oder Nichteisenlegierungen / B23K Löten , SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING / C21D Veränderung der physikalischen Struktur von Eisenmetallen , MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS |
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