Preliminary Study on the Influence of an External Magnetic Field on Melt Pool Behavior in Laser Melting of 4140 Steel Using In-Situ X-Ray Imaging

Abstract

In laser melting processes of metallic parts, including welding and additive manufacturing, there are challenges in porosity formation and developing predictive multiphysics of the process. Surrounding a melt pool with an external magnetic field has promise in changing the Marangoni flow and reducing porosity formation. In-situ X-ray imaging enables the observation of melt pool behavior and porosity formation in real-Time. This preliminary study shows that an external magnetic field can achieve both, with potential to scale up in industrial processes and to validate multiphysics models.