Advanced Joining

Materials joining is one of the oldest manufacturing processes which can be traced back to the Bronze Age. In general, joining is divided to three main categories:

1. Metallurgical Joining or Welding (e.g., resistance welding, laser welding, arc welding, solid-state welding, and etc.)
2. Mechanical Joining (e.g., fasteners, self-piercing riveting, clinching, and etc.)
3. Chemical Joining (e.g., adhesive bonding)

These days in the automotive, aerospace, medical device, fashion, appliances and various other industries, there is a primary need for creating multi-material structures. Such structures require developing novel joining techniques.

The overarching goals of our advanced joining group are summarized below:

1. Developing predictive computational models capable of capturing the essentials of structure development during a variety of joining processes
2. Conducting experimental tests to validate the numerical results
3. Performing advanced materials characterization to investigate the microstructure evolution, mechanical behavior, and interfacial defect(s) during various joining processes
4. Designing and developing novel hybrid joining methods with an emphasis on dissimilar and bio-compatible materials
5. Collaborating with the data analytics research group to analyze and promote the data generated and measured from the numerical and experimental efforts and utilizing them in the next generation of high-performance robotic welding machines
6. Design of improved joining systems for composites materials

Below you can find a couple examples from our past and current research projects: