A component arrangement comprising a first component which has a first joining surface and a second component which has a second joining surface. The first joining surface is connected to the second joining surface using an integrated reactive material system. The integrated reactive material system comprises at least one coating of at least one of the joining surfaces, and the integrated reactive material system comprises an activation region on one surface. The integrated activation region is arranged outside of the joined together regions of the first or second joining surfaces and adjoins the regions which are joined together.

The disclosed technology provides improved systems and methods for exothermic welding. An ignition strip can include a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB can include a first contact, a second contact, and a dielectric layer with an aperture. A first conductive layer can define a first trace between the first contact and the aperture along a first side of the dielectric layer. A second conductive layer can define a second trace between the second contact and the aperture along a second side of the dielectric layer. The aperture can define an insulating gap between the first trace and the second trace to cause a spark for ignition of welding material upon application of a breakdown voltage across the first and second contacts.

A container for exothermic welding material can include a first receptacle with a first internal volume that contains welding material and a first opening into the first internal volume, and a second receptacle with a second internal volume that contains starting powder and a second opening into the second internal volume. The second receptacle can be removably secured to the first receptacle to form a unified assembly, with the first and second openings closed to separate the starting powder from the welding material.

The disclosure relates to a method for producing load-indicating connection components. A connection element (10) and a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer (20) are provided and interconnected. The method comprises forming a layer structure on the surface (14) of the connection element (10). The layer structure comprises, in this order, proceeding from the surface (14) of the connection element (10): a first solder layer (16); a reactive layer (30); a second solder layer (22); and the piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer (20). The reactive layer (30) is designed for an exothermic reaction by activation with heat, with electromagnetic radiation or with electric current. Subsequently, the piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer (20) is pressed toward the connection element (10) in order to produce a specified contact pressure, and the reactive layer (30) is activated. The disclosure also relates to a load-indicating connection component of this type.

A method of controlling the ignition of exothermic weld material includes providing an exothermic welding system. The exothermic welding system includes: a controller including or connected to a battery; and a cable comprising a first end connected to a controller and a second, opposite end connected to an igniter, with a wire filament, attached to a mold holding the weld material. The method includes: receiving a wireless input signal from a portable electronic device; and in response to receiving the input signal, directing current from the battery to the second end of the cable to ignite the weld material.