Seeking established or future European suppliers of transition joints for space applications

TWI, as the ESA Technology Broker for the United Kingdom, is conducting a review of European suppliers capable of manufacturing transition joints for space applications. Transition joints are a critical enabling technology for cryogenic tanks, pressure vessels, propulsion systems, and structural assemblies, and the European market is currently limited.

We are therefore inviting existing manufacturers, advanced welding companies, and potential new entrants from adjacent sectors to express their interest.

Our aim is to identify companies that can manufacture or develop high-integrity, dissimilar-metal transition joints, particularly using (but not limited to):

• Inertia and rotary friction welding

• Diffusion bonding

• Explosive cladding or solid-state joining technologies

• Other advanced joining processes with demonstrable capability

We welcome responses from companies active in aerospace, oil and gas, nuclear, automotive, forging, powder metallurgy, and advanced manufacturing, even if they have not yet supplied the space sector.

TWI will use the results of this survey to explore collaboration opportunities, capability development, and potential ESA-funded activities aimed at strengthening the European supply chain.

If your organisation manufactures transition joints or has the capability to develop them, we invite you to get in touch.