Friction welding is used in the automotive industry to join steering columns and axles. The process involves rotating one component at high speed against another to generate heat. Once sufficiently hot rotation is ceased and the joint is forged. There are several variants of friction welding and whilst it is usual for at least one of the components to rotate a method of butt welding plates by linear friction welding is available. Size restrictions are related to the capacity of the equipment in generating sufficient torque.