Welding processes are used for the joining of metals (particularly steel and aluminium) and plastics.
It is estimated, that for the joining of aluminium parts in 40 to 50 per cent of the cases welding processes are involved. The thing all welding processes have in common is that they produce a permanent substance-to-substance joint between the
Soldering and brazing are methods for joining different metallic materials. One can solder or braze all metals. With few exceptions (see Prerequisites section), all aluminium alloys can be joined to other materials by soldering or brazing.
The process takes place using a fill metal (solder) whose melting point is below that of the metals being
With the further development of other joining processes and the increasing use of adhesive bonding for stressed joints, riveting was regarded of play for the cold-formed aluminium rivet.
Nowadays, riveting processes for aluminium alloys are divided into joining using rivet elements (so-called direct riveting) and joining unsing functional elements
This section covers several aspects. Click on one of the topics below to obtain further information about it:
General principle of forging
Forgings
Typical applications
Forging alloys
Microstructure / forged structure
Defects in the forged structure
Forging temperatures
Summary
With forging, one differentiates between open-die or hammer forging
This section covers several aspects.
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Health aspects
Aluminium in the environment
Aluminium in the human body
Dialysis
Alzheimer's disease
Drinking water
Aluminium in medicine
Food and packaging
Social aspects
Social aspects using the German aluminium industry as an
This area covers several aspects. Click on one of the topics below to obtain further information about it:
What is an alloy?
Importance and functions of aluminium alloys
Alloy forms
Master alloys
Production
Composition and available forms
Summary
Aluminium is usually alloyed with other elements in order to improve its corrosion resistance and
Casting is the shortest available process for converting unrefined metal into finished parts. The principle is simple: aluminium alloys are heated to 660-750 oC (the melting point is around 650 °C) and then cast into a mould. The most important casting processes are permanent mould casting, die-casting and sand casting.