Comparison of laser, laser-MIG and MIG welding for the manufacture of a magnesium automobile door made of tailored blanks as a demonstrator

Wrought magnesium alloys continue to have a great lightweight construction potential for bodymaking in the automobile industry. Within the framework of the investigations of an innovative regional growth nucleus called TeMaK, comprehensive investigations were also conducted into the application potential of various ultramodern joining technologies. This article introduces results with regard to the laser welding, laser-MIG welding and MIG welding (metal inert gas welding) of magnesium sheets and the practical application for the manufacture of magnesium tailored blanks for the fabrication of a magnesium automobile door as a demonstrator.