2004

A2
Klaus, A.; Schomäcker, M.; Kleiner, M. :
In: Light Metal Age vol. 62 (2004), No. 8, S. 12-21.

Abstract:

The purpose of lightweight construction is to decrease the weight of a component or a structure while at the same time maintaining or increasing functionality. In order to obtain the lowest weight in a workpiece fulfilling specified requirements, it is crucial to be able to choose from a variety of materials. Besides light metals having a density below 4.5 kg/dm3 by definition, non-metallic materials like Al2O3 and SiC have to be considered. Even steel - although not a light metal - can be considered a lightweight construction metal, as it provides similar specific material properties like aluminum. Hybrid materials play an important role in engineering science. So far, the use of their extraordinary properties in products manufactured by forming technology (especially not in relation to bar extrusion) is very limited. While regular extrusion of composite billets is technologically established but economically unfeasible, composite extrusion of regular billets has an economical potential as soon as some fundamental technological questions are researched. Hence, this paper deals with research carried out in order to investigate these questions and determine the means to manufacture composite profiles for lightweight construction.