Methods and joints for welding sheets of dissimilar materials

A method of performing welding, the method comprising:

• applying a current to a stack of sheets to resistively spot weld a first sheet of the stack of sheets to a second sheet of the stack of sheets, wherein the second sheet is a unitary vehicle structural component and includes at least two cut out sections, wherein applying the current to the stack of sheets comprises forming at least two spot welds between the first sheet and the second sheet;
• placing at least one metal foil on a first side of a third sheet of the stack of sheets, wherein the third sheet is clad with a transition material;
• and
• vaporizing the at least one metal foil to project at least two portions of the third sheet through the at least two cut out sections of the second sheet to the first sheet to form welds between the first sheet and the third sheet, wherein the second sheet remains welded to the first sheet, and wherein the at least two spot welds alternate with the welds through the cut out sections to form a mechanical interlock between the first sheet, the second sheet, and the third sheet.