In modem car concepts the aspect of lightweight constructions becomes more and more important. Lightweight materials, as aluminum and magnesium, get in the spotlight, thereby. Particularly because of the enormous potential for lightweight constructions industrial interests in magnesium wrought- and casting materials have increased in recent years. Against this background new alternative methods in the range of joining techniques are necessary which consider the specific mechanical-technological properties, such as limited deformability at room temperature and high corrosion-affinity of magnesium. The present article discusses the integration of heating principles in a mechanical joining process of magnesium components without an additional pre-punch operation. In this connection, feasibilities and limits of the considered joining techniques are shown and a concept for thermal support is presented.