RRX is conducting preliminary research into next generation aerospace linear friction welding.

Linear friction welding (LFW) is, it seems, in general performed by loading and orthogonally oscillating or more perhaps commonly rotating component interfaces inducing thermal energy at the surface layers.

At least one of the surfaces will apparently exhibit a thin layer of plasticization as temperature rises resulting in a slight outflow of material, hence welding components together on increased compression.

Clearly this might work best if the plasticization temperature of component interfaces is similar, however the procedure works with an amazingly wide variation of materials.

There are numerous issues relating to surface impurity relocation, and as one might suspect size adjustment due to interface redistribution, however the technique works particularly well for rotational components, and is superior in many respects to other forms of welding.

In particular, butt ended sheets can be welded by a rotary head invoking a "stirring" action and complex structures such as bladed disks or "blisks" and bladed rings or "blings" might be feasible.

Blisks and blings are useful in turbines and turbo pumps potentially reducing cost by an order of magnitude and overall weight by as much as 40%, also facilitating miniaturization, while improving reliability and ease of maintenance.