TECHNIQUES FOR JOINING DISSIMILAR MATERIALS: METALS AND POLYMERS

Techniques for joining lightweight dissimilar materials, particularly metals and polymers, are becoming increasingly important in the manufacturing of hybrid structures and components for engineering applications. The recent drive towards lightweight construction in the aerospace and automotive industries has led to increased exploitation of lightweight metallic and non-metallic materials with the aim of achieving specifically optimized versatility. Hence, suitable joining methods are necessary in order to reliably join these dissimilar materials and to integrate them in engineering structures. Understanding of the various joining technologies that exist for multi-material metal-to-metal, polymer-to-polymer, and metal-to-polymer hybrid structures is consequently important. The objective of this current study is to examine and summarize information and results from previous research and investigations on techniques for joining dissimilar materials. The findings presented serve to further understanding of the various joining techniques available and optimization of processes for metal-to-metal, polymer-to-polymer and metal-to-polymer hybrid joints.