Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) Welding of Dissimilar Materials: An Overview

In recent years, the continuous growth in manufacturing industries such as light weight structures, demands in increasing of its performance and functionality enhance the use of different materials for producing hybrid structures and thus the requirements for joining of dissimilar joints. The physical and metallurgical properties of the materials are utilised to get combined properties to achieve the product performance. On the other hand the joining methods are continuously challenging for joining of dissimilar materials. The present study reviews and describes the effective welding method of cold metal transfer for joining of dissimilar materials and its state of the art research in various materials joining. Cold metal transfer joining mechanism, capabilities of joining of dissimilar metals and their performance are reviewed. The current and emerging techniques of cold metal transfer welding method are reviewed. Methods and other technological parameters selection are described and future challenges for improving research methods on joining of dissimilar metals using cold metal transfer. Keywords: Cold Metal Transfer, MIG welding, Dissimilar materials, Mechanical properties.