Study on the friction interface evolution during rotary friction welding of tube

In this study, evolution characteristics of the friction interface during rotary friction welding of tube were investigated. The friction interface that obtained at different welding stage were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results show that the friction interface transforms from sliding friction state to visco-plastic deformation state when the welding torque reaches the peak value. In addition, based on the thermodynamic framework extracted from the maximum entropy production principle, an analytical model for transition criterion from sliding friction to visco-plastic deformation was established. The model was verified by the corresponding experimental results of eight alloys, which indicated that the accuracy and generality of the model is satisfactory.