Magnetic pulse welding: lessons to be learned from explosive welding

Abstract

Almost 50 years after magnetic pulse welding was invented, it is finally finding its way to theprivate sector, in particular the transportation and refrigeration industries. To support this evolution, morefundamental and applied knowledge on magnetic pulse welding has to be established. Learning from theexplosive welding process which is very similar and already thoroughly studied and documented, is oneway of achieving this. This paper first discusses why both processes are alike, but not the same. A closerlook at the process parameters and especially those of explosive welding learned, that an increasing flyerplate velocity results in a transformation of the bonding interface from smooth to wavy and an increase inhardness at the surfaces of both metals. Welding windows developed for explosive welding are discussed.The reasons for the limitations set to impact angle and collision velocity in a welding window are brieflyreviewed. This information can give a hand in the optimization of the parameter settings to achieve soundwelds with the magnetic pulse process. To check if a high quality weld is made, several testing methods forboth processes are discussed and compared.