Smart light-weight construction: Aluminum - competitor and partner

Smart light-weight construction considers technical, economical and ecological aspects and includes new construction principles, technologies and materials. Aluminum is both partner and competitor for other types of materials like steel and polymers. Based on properties that depend on the microstructure of Al alloys, new materials and innovative joining techniques for aircraft and automotive industries are discussed. The properties of weldable AlMgSiCu and AlMgSc materials which have a high synergy potential for applications in the whole field of transportation engineering can be reached by a carefully performed heat treatment. The local heat affect during the welding of age-hardenable Al alloys and the influence on microstructure and properties of the joint are shown, laser beam welding and friction stir welding are favoured.