Abstract
As a result of their high specific stiffness, magnesium components are increasingly used in automotive engineering. Because of the present lack of sheet metal semifinished products, applications are still limited to extruded profiles and die-cast components. To take the next step by combining both, the development of an appropriate joining technology is required. Due to the thermophysical characteristics, magnesium alloys are outstandingly suitable for laser beam welding with the without additional materials. The low viscosity of molten magnesium requires adapted constructions, and often the employment of filler wire, which can also be used for the compensation of evaporation losses and for process stabilization by buffering energy peaks. Using laser beam welding technology, new possibilities of designing lightweight construction units can be put into practice
