On November 12th, 2015, Shanghai Aerospace Equipments Manufacturer (SAEM) of SAST and Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung GmbH (HZG) signed a General Cooperation Agreement of Intention for the Establishment of a Joint Research Centre on Solid State Joint Technology, and celebrated an opening ceremony for the Joint Research Centre on February 20th, 2017 in Germany.

HZG as member of the Hermann von Helmholtz-Association of German Research Centres is working inter alia in the field of Materials Science. In its Institute for Materials Research, HZG investigates especially solid state joining processes.

SAEM is working in the field of Manufacturer of space systems such as launch vehicles, satellites and manned spaceships. It is equipped with strong research capabilities in aerospace product manufacturing technologies, e.g., technology development and equipment manufacturing in the field of friction stir welding, friction stir riveting, additive manufacturing and coating preparation.

The Joint Research Centre is established to enhancing, understanding and expanding applications of Friction Spot Welding processes, (also known as Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding), Friction Stir Welding and derivative processes, further solid-state joining processes for mutual benefits. The cooperation may comprise the following actions:

•Technological Transfer

•Development, acquisition and execution of joint projects

•Personal exchange and training

•Joint organization of conferences/meetings

•Joint teaching projects 

•Preparation of joint publications.