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LINKING PEOPLE, JOINING NATIONS
welding technology. In developing relationships with IIW members
even further, the application of friction stir welding in China was
strengthened through an agreement between BAMTRI and TWI to
establish a Friction Stir Welding Centre in 2002.
24
From that point
on China was to utilise friction stir welding in aerospace applications
including the manufacture of airline storage panel components and
carrier rocket storage tanks.
In the main, fundamental research into the welding of
new materials and joining of composites for the aerospace
industry is undertaken by specialist research organisations
throughout the world such as TWI and BAMTRI, many
of which are directly or indirectly associated with IIW
Working Units. Appropriately, global industry demands and
new developments in the aviation industry have necessitated re-activation of the previous
Select Committee
Air
(SC-AIR), to cover permanent joints in new materials and coatings
for aircraft engineering under the chairmanship of Prof. Shuili Gong (China).
The work of this committee covers the latest joining technologies
for new aircraft and the research needs of the aviation and aerospace
industries where IIW’s expertise and international networking capabilities
can effectively be utilised, in particular in the areas of solid state welding,
power beam processes, behaviour of materials, new welding filler metals for
aircraft structures and engine components, and the use of advanced NDT of
aircraft joints and adhesive-based repair joints. Again it will be the use of
innovative welding processes such as electron beam and laser beam welding
and other developments that will lead the way in the quest for man to explore
the outer regions of space and the universe.
Critical infrastructure is also inclusive of road and rail
transport, so important in the transfer of materials, goods, other
resources and people within a country, or between countries.
This includes construction and maintenance of roads, building of
bridges, viaducts, canals and other crucial structures to overcome
natural geographical barriers. With respect to improvements to road
transport, including heavy vehicles, one of IIW’s Select Committees
on
Automotive and Road Transport
(SC-AUTO), has played a
strategic role in leading discussions on the application
of new technologies and materials concerning joining
in the automotive industry in order to improve vehicle
safety while, at the same time, decreasing vehicle
Michael Rethmeier
Ernest Levert