An apparatus and method for fastening dissimilar materials like steel, plastic and aluminum. A resistance welding fastener having multiple layers may be used with or without a sealant. The fastener may be used to form an aluminum covered steel laminate via a hemming pattern of attachment. The fastener may have a solid shaft or have an extended reach and have features for interacting with the welding electrode. A variety of electrode tips may be employed to cooperate with the fastener.

A friction weld plug includes a gasket and a stud. The stud includes a nose configured to be inserted into a first hole formed within a wall. The nose includes a cavity having female threads. The stud also includes a shoulder extending radially from the nose and including a groove configured to contain the gasket. The friction weld plug also includes a spacer including a second hole and a fastener including male threads. The fastener is configured to be inserted through the second hole, into the first hole, and into the cavity such that the male threads and the female threads form an attachment that presses the spacer against a first side of the wall and presses the gasket against a second side of the wall that is opposite the first side, thereby forming a seal between the gasket and the second side of the wall.

An element, a friction element welding method, and a method for producing a friction element welded joint. The element is for performing friction element welding on a sheet stack of two or more stacked metal sheets by pressing the element into the sheet stack while the element is rotated. The element includes a circular columnar mandrel that is to enter the sheet stack, a circular collar disposed at an upper end portion of the mandrel, a first conical body extending from a lower end surface of the mandrel, and a second conical body disposed on the lower side of the first conical body. The vertical angle of the second conical body and the vertical angle of the first conical body satisfy the relation <.

A method for joining a first component to a second component includes providing a first component with a first joining part receiving section and creating a joining part on and/or in the first joining part receiving section via a generative method. The method also includes providing a second component with a second joining part receiving section, and joining the joining part to the second joining part receiving section of the second component.