Method and devices for connecting an aluminium strip to a copper strip under protective gas

Disclosed are a method and devices for fixedly connecting an aluminum strip (9) to a copper strip (8) by a metallurgical process. In said method, the two strips (8, 9), which are moved parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction thereof, are continuously freed of oxides in a cleaning device (3) under protective gas on the faces thereof intended to be applied against one another, and are then fed to a pressing device (4) in which they are pressed against one another by way of the cleaned faces thereof and are connected to one another to form a single-piece strip (11). Both strips (8, 9) are guided all the way to the pressing device (4) and therethrough without interruption under protective gas, to which end the cleaning device (3) and the pressing device (4) are combined to form a unit having a housing (7) that surrounds a joint space. Both strips (8, 9) as well as the single-piece strip (11) are pulled through the cleaning device (3) and the pressing device (4) by means of a take-off apparatus (5) a