Advanced joining techniques - Key to lightweight body structures

The need for lightweighting and higher safety in vehicles has led to a change in the materials used for manufacturing a vehicle. There is a higher adoption of ligher metals such as aluminum and magnesium, composite like carbon fiber and glass fiber. This has also necessitated advancements in joining technology that are can join dissimilar materials together without comporomising the strength or the life of the parts.

This report will look at the various joining technologies that are being employed by the automakers in the new age vehicles and how these joining methods are expected to change in the coming years. The report gives an in-depth analysis of the opportunities and challenges related to different joining methods and will also look at the advancements being pursued in the main joining techniques, including welding, adhesives, and fasteners.

1. Overview
a) Report summary
b) Research methodology
c) Introduction

2. Technology analysis
a) Overview
b) Welding
c) Fasteners
d) Adhesives
e) Surface preparation
f) Hybrid joining

3. OEM analysis
a) Overview
b) Audi
c) BMW
d) Daimler

4. Supplier analysis
a) 3M
b) DuPont
c) Henkel
d) Stanley Engineered Fastening

5. Conclusion