A galvanized steel is used to join Mg AZ31B alloy and Al A6061-T6 alloy as a joining transition layer by cold metal transfer (CMT) method. Firstly, to optimize the process variables, extensive welding tests were performed by a design of experiment method. Then, microstructures, joining mechanisms and tensile properties were characterized and analyzed. Results indicated that Mg and Al alloys can be joined by using galvanized steel as a joining transition layer and cold metal transfer welding method. The formed joint is called as a Mg–steel–Al CMT joint. By using galvanized steel transition joining layer, Mg–Al brittle intermetallics Al₁₂Mg₁₇ and Al₃Mg₂ were inhibited. The properties of Mg–steel–Al CMT joints have been improved after optimizing the welding variables. The strength of Mg–steel–Al CMT joint is comparable to those of Al–Al joint and Mg–Mg joint. The strength of Mg–steel–Al CMT joint can reach 100% that of Al–Al joint and Al–steel joint, and reach 90% that of Mg–Mg joint and Mg–steel joint. The optimized Mg–steel–Al CMT welded joint with galvanized steel transition layer is fractured at the heat affected zone of Al base metal rather than at the weld-brazed interface, due to softening of Al base metal.

镀锌钢用于通过冷金属转移（CMT）方法连接Mg AZ31B合金和Al A6061-T6合金作为连接过渡层。首先，为了优化工艺变量，通过设计实验方法进行了广泛的焊接测试。然后，对微结构，连接机理和拉伸性能进行了表征和分析。结果表明，采用镀锌钢作为过渡过渡层和冷金属转移焊接方法可以连接镁和铝合金。形成的接头称为Mg-钢-Al CMT接头。通过使用镀锌钢过渡连接层，Mg-Al脆性金属间化合物Al ₁₂ Mg ₁₇和Al ₃ Mg ₂被抑制。优化焊接变量后，Mg-钢-Al CMT接头的性能得到了改善。Mg-钢-Al CMT接头的强度与Al-Al接头和Mg-Mg接头的强度相当。Mg-Al-CMT接头的强度可以达到Al-Al接头和Al-steel接头的强度的100％，达到Mg-Mg接头和Mg-steel接头的强度的90％。经过优化的具有镀锌钢过渡层的Mg-钢-Al CMT焊接接头在Al基体金属的热影响区而不是在钎焊界面处断裂，这是由于Al基体金属的软化所致。