S. Muecklich, TU Chemnitz, Chenmitz, Germany; B. Wielage, TU Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
In the last decade there was a strong increase in research and application of magnesium alloys. Especially in automotive and aircraft industries but also in other industrial branches exists a great interest for light weight components.
Also the demand for appropriated joining technologies of magnesium based materials increased recently. New fluxless soldering technologies have been developed which allow not only joining of magnesium alloys among themselves but also to dissimilar materials such as steel or aluminum alloys. Ultrasound is used in this soldering technology for surface activation. Filler materials used are based on the ternary system Al-Mg-Zn and on tin based filler materials.
Brazing temperatures of tin based filler materials are about 235°C and for Zn-Mg-Al based filler materials they range between 340 and 350°C. Because of these low soldering temperatures there are no restrictions concerning the composition of the magnesium alloys to be joined. Also high alloyed magnesium alloys can be soldered. The obtained microstructures are examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical and corrosion properties of the joints were investigated.
Summary: The lack of adequate joining techniques is opposed to an increasing usage of magnesium alloys in subareas of industrial fields of applications. Aim of this study is the development of innovative joining technologies for magnesium and the joining of magnesium with other materials like aluminum, steel, titan, polymers and ceramics, which are essential for industrial production. In addition suitable corrosion protec-tive coatings for magnesium will be developed.
