Progress in joining of advanced materials

Advanced materials generally require novel joining techniques. Developments in new materials research should be conducted hand in hand with work on weldability and joining capacity aspects. Sound joint quality for any new material has always been considered a milestone in a research and development scheme for a new material, particularly in terms of widespread applications. Better understanding of the microstructure-mechanical properties relationships of the bonded or welded joints will feed back to the materials development activities both in conventional and new materials areas. The two joining processes diffusion bonding and laser welding are considered in this literature review, since these processes are capable of joining a wide range of materials of interest in the aerospace industry, as well as in many other industrial applications, and offer remarkable advantages over conventional fusion welding processes. Of particular interest is the ability to join the more difficult aerospace alloys with minimal component distortion and high reproducibility of joint quality. The purpose of the review is to outline progress made in this area and to make suggestions for future work. Coverage includes solid state joining, fusion joining, joining of intermetallics, joining of metal matrix composites, and joining of other advanced materials.