Canadian Centre for Welding and Joining (CCWJ): welding, joining, and metallurgy research facility
A University of Alberta research and training facility for welding, joining, metallurgy, and joining-process development, serving the manufacturing, construction, and natural-resources sectors.
Overview
The Canadian Centre for Welding and Joining (CCWJ) at the University of Alberta is a research and training facility in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. It advances interdisciplinary research and expertise in welding, joining, metallurgy, and joining-process development, spanning fundamentals to applied research across a broad range of material systems and serving the manufacturing, construction, and natural-resources sectors.
Available services
The Centre conducts research across arc, resistance spot, laser, and friction stir welding; metallurgy and materials development, including steel applications and wear-protective overlays; and numerical modelling of welding features such as cooling rates, heat-affected-zone width, and residual stresses. It also provides characterization and testing, graduate training and specialized workshops, and startup and SME support through initiatives such as the Alberta Metal Fabrication Innovation (AMFI) program.
Equipment & instruments
The welding research lab includes arc, laser, and robotic welding systems; diagnostic tools such as high-speed cameras, laser lighting, specialized thermal cameras, wavelength spectrometers, and data-acquisition systems; characterization tools including hardness mapping, surface profilometry, instrumented impact testing, and hydrogen/oxygen/nitrogen testing; and modelling software including VRWeld, Simufact, Transweld, COMSOL, and MATLAB.
Access & engagement
Nearly every CCWJ project is industry-oriented and funded by corporate stakeholders. The Centre offers innovation and improvement opportunities to Alberta's metal manufacturing and fabrication sector, and supports startups and SMEs with technical guidance, access to advanced research facilities, and industry-expert mentorship.
About University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a large, comprehensive public research university in Edmonton with multiple campuses and a strong applied research culture. Industry engages through co-located labs and pilot-scale facilities, as well as established co-op and internship programs that place talent with partners year-round. Integration with Alberta’s province-wide hospital system supports clinical research and accelerates translation. Companies also benefit from proximity to regional industry clusters and collaboration hubs on and near campus for joint R&D and prototyping. Supported by NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, and Canada Foundation for Innovation funding—plus provincial and industry support—the tech transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation with streamlined sponsored-research agreements.
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