Award for WHU graduates: innovative strength through friction stir welding!

Award for WHU graduates: innovative strength through friction stir welding!

On October 2, 2025, Niklas Vieregge, a bachelor's graduate from WHU, was honored for his outstanding thesis. This honor, the Koblenz Chamber of Industry and Commerce University Prize 2025, recognizes his comprehensive analysis of the commercialization of an innovative welding process. Vieregge, who grew up in the Koblenz area, described the award as a great honor.

His thesis focused on friction stir welding, a solid-state joining process that is becoming increasingly established in the industry. It enables the connection of both similar and dissimilar materials such as metals, plastics and composites. Particularly noteworthy is the high mixing performance of the tool used, which optimizes the distribution of fibers in the weld seam.

Research contribution and market analysis

Vieregge analyzed the economic prospects of a ceramic alternative in the welding process and designed a comprehensive blueprint for the Research Institute for Glass and Ceramics (FGK) in Höhr- Grenzhausen. This blueprint takes into account crucial aspects such as market positioning, sales, location, patents, corporate form and financing. The research was carried out by Prof. Dr. Christina Günther and Dana Horvath supervised, with Horvath emphasizing the importance of practical research that extends far beyond the university context.

The University Prize for Business is awarded annually by the IHK Koblenz to honor outstanding work that has been created in cooperation with universities and companies. The aim of this award is to strengthen cooperation between business and science in northern Rhineland-Palatinate.

Friction stir welding in detail

Friction stir welding, which Vieregge investigated in his work, is primarily used for metal-to-metal connections and offers a high level of flexibility because it can be used on almost any common machining center. The process supports the design and interpretation of the welding process and enables metrological examinations of the weld seams, with a focus on strength, mixing and quality. These properties make the process a promising solution in the field of multi-material design.

By combining metals and plastics, the strength-increasing effect of fibers, especially in fiber-reinforced plastics, is used significantly. This innovation potential is promoted by close cooperation between science and industry, as Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU) underlines in its projects with regional companies. Politics and business in the region are supported by such collaborations and benefit from the fresh ideas and specialist knowledge of the students.

The HNU emphasizes that strategic partnerships with various companies are necessary in order to realize innovative projects. This collaboration is crucial for the sustainable development of the region and contributes to strengthening innovative strength. Vieregge’s work and the accompanying award are an example of how practical research can contribute to the competitiveness and development of companies.

Further information about friction stir welding can be found on the Fraunhofer website Fraunhofer IPA and about practical collaboration between science and business liebende-region.de.