Within this Research Area, hybrid processes for the production of plastics/metalcomposites as well as for products with functional surfaces via nano- or micro-scaled structures will be developed.

They will also be evaluated using the methodology of Research Area C.1. A combination of the injection moulding of plastics and die casting of metals to form a hybrid primary forming process with one mould and one hybrid machine will be developed with regard to the production of plastics/metal-composites using new hybrid process chains. Furthermore, such plastics/metal-composites will be realised by means of thermal joining as an alternative to current assembly methods. Besides the production of plastics/metalcomposites, the manufacturing of functional surfaces with nano- or micro-scaled structures on metal and plastics will also be investigated to attain various surface effects, e.g. in the field of optics, fluid mechanics or tribology. Both, the individual process steps and the different process chains will be analysed, optimised, evaluated and their scope will be defined systematically. Concerning the fields “primary forming and thermal joining for the production of plastics/ metal-composites” and “realising functional surfaces”, a close linkage to ICD A regarding “unitising and adapting moulds” and to ICD B regarding the “modelling of flow behaviour” will be established.

Please find more information on the website of the Cluster of Excellence.