Abstract:
The Friction Welding Process (FRW) is so far the most widely preferred welding technique in the
automotive industry which is implemented at several steps of the manufacture of the vehicle as well as
through the manufacturing of the auto-parts itself. Concerning more especially the driveshaft, mainly
manufactured from medium carbon steel XC45, the failure remains a major issue for most of the car and
auto-parts manufacturers. The welded joints of the rolled parts of the driveshaft represent the most
sensitive concern as far as its microstructure and mechanical properties are affected by the FR W. On
this regard, one of the key parameter is the cleanliness of the welding interface which shall be free from
any metallic "inclusion". If this condition is not happened, that could lead to a significant reduction of
the friction coefficient caused by an inhomogeneous welding temperature and, as a consequence, to the
reduction of the welded metal joint cohesion due to the further initiation of oxide. That phenomenon
obviously indicates a high energy microscopic fracture mechanism or Micro-void coalescence (MVC).
The effective case depth of the driveshaft can increase the ability of shear stress.