Enhancing structural efficiency through novel dissimilar material joining techniques / SAFEJOINT

Project code: FP7-NMP-2012-SMALL-6
ES programme: Framework Programe 7 (FP7)

Project flyer.

The objective of the project

To develop novel techniques for metal to metal and metal to composite joining as well as developing novel techniques for the non-destructive inspection and evaluation of such joints in order to enhance confidence to designers and end-users of hybrid structures of their through life safe performance.

Motivation

There is a high demand for the design of lightweight energy efficient structures for transport applications in order to meet CO2 emissions targets set worldwide. To achieve this designers have introduced the concept of “hybrid” structures where two or more lightweight materials are used each possessing unique properties that when joined together result in high performance lightweight structures that would not have been possible if a single material was used. This approach requires the development of joining techniques for materials with fundamentally different physical properties that will ensure the safe and reliable transfer of load between the constituent materials.

Ultrasound Institute

Will undertake the development of the NDE methodologies for the novel joints that will be developed in this project. That will include:

  • A detailed literature review;
  • Investigation of NDE techniques for quality control;
  • Development of NDE technique for dissimilar metal joints;
  • Development of NDE techniques for quality control of metal composite joints;
  • NDT testing of sample before joint integrity assessment;
  • NDE procedures and guidelines for inspection at build and service health monitoring;
  • NDE inspections of the demonstrator structures at build and also during and after testin

Project partners

University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (United Kingdom), National Technical University of Athens (Greece), Anthony, Patrick & Murta-Exportacao LDA (Portugal), Swerea Sicomp AB (Sweden), Swerea IVF AB (Sweden), Instituto Technologico De Aragon (Spain), Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. (Spain), Fraunhofer-GesellSchaft Zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V. (Germany), Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania).

Duration:
2013 - 2016