TWI's Case studies related to military vehicles and equipment

In order to demonstrate the potential benefits of TWI's services to the defence industry, a number of 'General Case Studies' has been compiled. TWI experts, who are currently working on TWI's Core Research Programme or had recently been involved with confidential studies related to military vehicles and equipment, were invited to submit details of potential industrial applications of the joining technologies they are investigating. A total of more than 10 Case Studies was submitted and can be accessed via the following links:

• Product life cycle carbon footprinting
• Barrikade^® - A fire resistant composite insulation material developed by TWI
• Clearweld^® - TWI's innovative joining process for protective clothing
• Electron beam welding of armoured tanks at TWI
• Friction welding of combat vehicles at TWI
• Laser Welding of military vehicles at TWI
• Testing of armour material at TWI

The technology overview presented in these Case Studies was prepared based on the current R&D work at TWI and following a review of published literature and visits to a number of relevant conferences. The various processes and their potential industry sector applications are presented in a descriptive summary form, along with applications for TWI's joining technologies. It is intended that these case studies will form the basis of planning for future strategic research and development, whilst providing a useful source of reference information at the same time.

The demand of the defence industry for consultancy on modern welding and joining technologies is expected to lead to the proliferation of enquiries regarding military related applications and joining problems. TWI is respected for its fully confidential and impartial consultancy, even if equipment manufacturers and consumable suppliers can also give some generic advice (e.g. regarding shielding gases and welding wire). Specific confidential R&D studies on joining processes for military equipment will remain the domain of large research organisations such as TWI, sponsored mainly by large company end-users and governmental institutions. Although some fundamental technology development is also conducted at universities, TWI is increasingly being contracted for bringing together multidisciplinary teams, to implement established or advanced joining technologies or to solve problems arising at any stage - from initial design, materials selection, production and quality assurance, through to service performance and repair.