Development of a new joining technology for hybrid metal aircraft structures

With the introduction of the laser beam welding of skin-stringer-joints into the aircraft industry, Airbus set a new standard for the processing of metallic materials. New design principles and joining processes for high performance materials enhance the overall performance of the integral metallic fuselage. Improved exploitation of material properties is driving the development of ‘tailored’ hybrid components. The newly developed laser beam joining process of aluminium and titanium offers the chance to create low weight and corrosion resistant hybrid structures like seat tracks.