Joining element, connection structure with the joining element, manufacturing method of the joining element and corresponding connection method

摘要

The present invention relates to a joining element for producing a connection between at least two components, which has: a head at a first axial end, an end region at a second axial end opposite the first axial end and a shaft arranged between the end region and the head, the a longitudinal axis of the joining element is defined between the first and second axial ends. According to the invention, at least the shaft and the end region of the joining element have a hardened edge layer, so that a material of the shaft and the end region have a lower hardness in the interior compared to an adjacent surface of the edge layer.