Comparative study of the joining technologies of vehicle bodywork sheets

In the automotive industry lighter vehicles are needed with more fuel-efficient engines, due to reduced fleet consumption. Many development deals with new materials, but steel will remain probably the primary material for vehicle structures. Other materials, like new high-strength steel grades are finding their way into vehicle structures. Aluminium and magnesium with low-density and fiber-reinforced composites are increasing in demand in the vehicle industry. For the new materials new bonding technologies are needed. Bonding these new materials are the most important in this research. (paper)