Verbindungstechnologien

Verbindungstechnik, or connection technology, is an engineering discipline focused on joining components to form assemblies. It covers mechanical joining, adhesive bonding, thermal and chemical joining, and electrical interconnects, and it is applied in automotive, aerospace, electronics, construction, and consumer goods.

Mechanical joining includes fasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets, and nuts, as well as pins, clamps, and press fits. Permanent methods include welding and brazing when material compatibility and joint design permit.

Adhesive bonding uses structural adhesives—epoxies, polyurethanes, acrylics—to join dissimilar materials and distribute stresses. Benefits include weight reduction and good fatigue performance; drawbacks include cure times and environmental sensitivity.

Electrical interconnects comprise connectors, soldered or crimped terminations, and PCB terminations. Requirements focus on low contact resistance, reliable insulation, and corrosion resistance under thermal cycling.

Standards and material compatibility guide processing; references include DIN, ISO, IEC, and industry specifications. Reliability is assessed by mechanical testing (pull, shear, fatigue), nondestructive testing, and environmental aging studies.

Applications range from structural joints in vehicles and aircraft to electronics packaging and modular construction. Trends include lightweight multi-material joining, hybrid techniques, and smart fasteners with embedded sensing for health monitoring.