| Abstract: | Innovative joining techniques for creating light‐weight aluminium structures in railway vehicle production Starting from the development in railway vehicle manufacture, the authors describe today's materials, types of construction, joining techniques, joint and weld types, filler materials and regulatory documents. In addition, they present new processing equipment and engineering principles. On the basis of these findings, they show the perspectives of new construction principles for light‐weight aluminium structures and identify the requirements, the new joining techniques have to meet. The innovative joining techniques, such as: • electron‐beam welding under atmosphere (NV‐EBW) • Friction Stir Welding (FSW) • Laser beam welding (LBW) • Laser beam/electric arc hybrid welding (LBW/LB) are studied with regard to their • properties and particularities • advantages and disadvantages • available equipment • possible applications for railway vehicle manufacture. In addition, costs are compared and an analysis of the benefit is made. Finally, the authors give an outlook on possible applications of the innovative procedures. |
