Magnetic pulse welding is a technique that uses magnetic forces to join two types of metal together. This process is very similar in nature to that of explosive welding. They are both very specialized fields that require different and more advanced knowledge of welding techniques.
Magnetic pulse welding uses a very high AC current that is passed through a conductive coil close to a metal that is electrically conductive. A strong magnetic field is then created which produces an eddy current. This second current which is also known as Lorentz force, causes the flyer to accelerate at a very high velocity. A base material is placed in the path of the flyer thereby causing an impact that creates a solid state weld. This process is used to join metals that typically couldn’t be welded.
The currents used in this type of welding can reach as high as one million amperes and the velocity can reach 800 meters per second. Due to the extremely high currents required for this type of welding procedure, it is extremely important that everyone involved in the process follow the strict safety guidelines set in place for this type of welding.
Magnetic pulse welding is a high frequency capacitor discharge circuit which requires extreme energy and power. One of the most common configurations used in this process is a lap joint, which consists of a tubular exterior element surrounding an inner one.
The method of magnetic pulse welding is best suited for work in an industry that requires the mass production of welds. There are limited joint configurations that can be achieved with this welding process and the requirement of excessive power required to operate the machinery makes it best suited for industry work.
Resources:
Magnetic Pulse Welding for Tubular Applications (thefabricator.com)
