Measurement of Collision Conditions in Magnetic Pulse Welding Processes

MPW （magnetic pulse welding） is a solid state joining technology that allows for the generation of strong metallic bonds, even between dissimilar metals. Due to the absence of external heat, critical intermetallic phases can largely be avoided. In this process, Lorentz forces are utilized for the rapid acceleration of at least one of the two metallic joining partners leading to the controlled high velocity impact between them. The measurement of the collision conditions and their targeted manipulation are the key factors of a successful process development. Optical measuring techniques are preferred, since they are not influenced by the prevalent strong magnetic field in the vicinity of the working coil. In this paper, the characteristic high velocity impact flash during MPW was monitored and evaluated using phototransistors in order to measure the time of the impact. The results are in good accordance with the established PDV （photon Doppler velocimetry） and show a good repeatability. Furthermore, the collision front velocity was investigated using adapted part geometries within a series of tests. This velocity component is one of the key parameters in MPW; its value decreases along the weld zone. With the help of this newly introduced measurement tool, the magnetic pressure distribution or the joining geometry can be adjusted more effectively.

Comparison of Magnetic Pulse Welding with Other Welding Methods

The paper explains the comparison of magnetic pulse welding method which belongs to non-conventional machining methods with other conventional and non-conventional welding methods which include brazing, explosive welding, ultrasonic welding, tungsten and metal inert gas and roll bonding. Magnetic pulse welding differs completely in technology when compared with conventional welding processes because the process is done with high velocity and without heat or consumable materials. It is better than other methods because it＇s cold process and can be done without any heat affect zone. In addition, there is no need for rework and post welding cleaning and there is no scrap problem. Magnetic pulse welding is a green process used to design and build light structure with high strength to reduce the weight and the energy. Magnetic pulse welding reduces the risk of corrosion by limiting the metallic interaction to just the two metals welded; therefore, it replaces the brazing method. Also, it is better than the explosive welding method because there is no risk of handling the explosive material and there is no noise. The part assembly by magnetic pulse welding is stronger than the parts assembly by tungsten and metal inert gas welding and it is easy to achieve a good aesthetic with high speed. Therefore, using magnetic pulse welding technology will not affect the environment.

Effect of the Welding Parameters on the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Aluminium and Copper Sheet Joints by Electromagnetic Pulse Welding

Aluminium-copper hybrid parts, as a substitution to copper parts, result in weight and cost reduction, and are relevant in applications related to the electronic, heating and cooling sector. However, aluminium to copper joined by thermal welding processes presents challenges in terms of achieving good joint quality. This is attributed to their dissimilar mechanical and thermal properties which result in large stress gradients during heating. This study investigated joining of aluminium to copper sheets by electromagnetic pulse welding, which is a solid-state process that uses electromagnetic forces for joining of dissimilar materials. Hybrid sheet welds were obtained for all parameters conditions, selected according to a Taguchi L18 design. The structural and mechanical characteristics were examined and related to the welding parameters by means of a Pareto analysis and response graphs. The welded zone started with a wavy interface with interfacial layers and defects and evolved to a flat interface without interfacial layers. The maximum transferable force depended on the minimum specimen thickness and the strength of the hybrid sheet weld. In case of aluminium sheet thickness reduction, the maximum transferable force was linearly correlated with the aluminium sheet thickness. High quality joints were obtained for no aluminium sheet thickness reduction and for a sheet weld strength which was at least as high as that of the base material. The most effective way to increase the transferable force was to lower the initial gap and to increase the free length, which resulted in no aluminium sheet thickness reduction. Alternatively, the use of a rounded spacer decreased the effect of the aluminium sheet thickness on the transferable force. An increase in weld width was achieved for an increase in capacitor charging energy and gap, whereas an increase in weld length was obtained for a decrease in gap. An increase in weld width did not necessarily result in an increase in the transferable force. In the regarded cases, a hybrid sheet with narrow weld width could therefore have higher quality.

Effect of Conventional and Pulsed TIG Welding on Microstructural and Mechanical Characteristics of AA 6082-T6 Repair Welds

Repair welding of AA 6082-T6 joints was carried out using ER 4043 filler through the TIG welding process with or without pulsed current.Microstructure and mechanical characteristics of the joints before and after repairing were investigated by examining macrostructure,microstructure,and distributions of porosity in the weld metal(WM),and by hardness,tensile,and bending tests.We observed that the welding current,phase transformations in heat-affected zone(HAZ)and porosity introduced in the WM during welding influence on its mechanical properties in sequence.The experimental results showed that the bead width and penetration as well as size of pores in the joints were mainly influenced by the welding currents.The sound joints were obtained at a welding current of 140 A with or without pulsed current when welding speed and gas flow rate were set at 20 cm·min-1 and 15 L·min-1,respectively.Among them,the decrease in mechanical properties of repair weld(RW)was directly related to the phase transformations in the over-ageing zone due to the double welding thermal cycles and elevated distribution of porosity in the WM.In addition,it was observed that the comparatively smaller grain size and lower porosity in WM of the RW produced by pulsed TIG welding gave a positive effect on its mechanical properties.

Interface Microstructure of Al-Fe Tubes Joint by Magnetic Pulse Welding

Magnetic Pulse Welding(MPW)is a very high speed process which produces solid-state welds.In this work, Welding interface microstructure of Al/Fe tubes by MPW and its influence factors were investigated.The equipment with a capacitor of 100 μF was used under different voltages range from 8 kV to 15 kV.SEM and TEM observation were carried out to investigate microstructure of the welding interface.The results show that the dissimilar tubes(Al/Fe)could be welded with the optimum tapered angle of about 4 degree.The welding interface in Al/Fe joints exhibits a characteristic wavy morphology with wavelength of about I00 μm.A new layer exists between base tubes consisting of AI and Fe elements.Ultrafme grained microstructure is founded near the welding interface.The results obtain in this work provide the fundamentals for the investigation of MPW mechanism of dissimilar tubes.

Measurement and analysis technologies for magnetic pulse welding： established methods and new strategies

Magnetic pulse welding （MPW） is a fast and clean joining technique that offers the possibility to weld dissimilar metals, e.g., aluminum and steel. The high-speed collision of the joining partners is used to generate strong atomic bonded areas. Critical brittle intermetallic phases can be avoided due to the absence of external heat. These features attract the notice of industries performing large scale productions of dissimilar metal joints, like automo- tive and plant engineering. The most important issue is to guarantee a proper weld quality. Numerical simulations are often used to predict the welding result a priori. Nevertheless, experiments and the measurement of process parameters are needed for the validation of these data. Sensors nearby the joining zone are exposed to high pressures and intense magnetic fields which hinder the evaluation of the electrical output signals. In this paper, existing analysis tools for process development and quality assurance in MPW are reviewed. New methods for the process monitoring and weld characterization during and after MPW are introduced, which help to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of established technologies. These methods are based on optical and mechanical measuring technologies taking advantage of the hypervelocity impact flash, the impact pressure and the deformation necessary for the weld formation.

Realizing precision pulse TIG welding with arc length control and visual image sensing based weld detection

Methods of arc length control and visual image based weld detection for precision pulse TIG welding were investigated. With a particular all hardware circuit, arc voltage during peak current stage is sampled and integrated to indicate arc length, deviation of arc length and adjusting parameters are calculated and output to drive a step motor directly. According to the features of welding image grabbed with CCD camera, a special algorithm was developed to detect the central line of weld fast and accurately. Then an application system were established, whose static arc length error is ±0.1 mm with 20 A average current and 1 mm given arc length, static detection precision of weld is 0.01 mm , processing time of each image is less than 120 ms . Precision pulse TIG welding of some given thin stainless steel components with complicated curved surface was successfully realized.

Numerical analysis for weld pool of pulsed TIG welding

A two-dimensional axisymmetric mathematical model of weld pool of pulsed TIG welding was established. Numerical simulation for weld pool of pulsed TIG welding was done using FLUENT software by selecting the appropriate boundary conditions and strongly coupled control equations. The distributions of temperature field and flow field of weld pool under the periodic change of welding current were obtained. According to the maximum temperature of upper and lower surface of workpiece and depth and width of weld pool, the distributions of temperature field and flow field under different pulsed frequencies and current duty cycles were obtained and periodic variation was analyzed under pulsed current. The analysis results show that with the increase of pulsed frequency, weld pool width increases slightly while depth decreases slightly, and with the increase of current duty cycle, the width and depth of weld pool both increase significantly, and the depth increases greatly.

Research on sinusoid modulated pulse MIG welding methodology

This article proposed a new methodology and the principle of sinusoid modulated pulse MIG welding, and systematically established the universal mathematical model of computation of the parameters of the sinusoid modulation pulse, achieving that the welding energy input can be effectively controlled and precisely regulated, the transition of pulse change is smooth and the welding process is stable and reliable. With the characteristics of sinusoidal waveform, such as infinite derivative continuity, eternal periodicity and limited control parameters, this article established the theoretical foundation for choiceness, unification and optimization of the parameters during the new sinusoid modulated pulse MIG welding. Bead-on-plate overlay welding is carried out on the pure aluminum sheet test sample for the test. The result indicated that during the welding process, the real-time current waveform is stable and clear; both the corresponding voltage and the instant welding energy waveform are very stable; the repeatability of the U-I graph plotted is high; its family of lines is clear, neat, and its distribution is concentrated showing that the welding process is stable and the neat and high quality ripple weld seam may be produced.

Optimization of pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding process parameters to attain maximum tensile strength in AZ31B magnesium alloy

An empirical relationship to predict tensile strength of pulsed current gas tungsten arc welded AZ31B magnesium alloy was developed. Incorporating process parameters such as peak current, base current, pulse frequency and pulse on time were studied. The experiments were conducted based on a four-factor, five-level, central composite design matrix. The developed empirical relationship can be effectively used to predict the tensile strength of pulsed current gas tungsten arc welded AZ31B magnesium alloy joints at 95% confidence level. The results indicate that pulse frequency has the greatest influence on tensile strength, followed by peak current, pulse on time and base current.

Intelligent process expert database of double pulse MIG welding of AI-Si alloy

Based on double pulse welding process characteristics, expert database structure and work flow are designed. Further, multiple outstanding specifications of 1.0 ram-diameter wire are obtained through a large number of experiments. By making non-linear regression analysis on these groups of standards, the relationship between average welding current and other pulse parameters can be found out. Polynomial regression equation is set up for further realization of＂ parameter estimation function of the expert database. Finally, the preliminary developed expert database is tested. The result indicates that the unified adjusting and parameters estimation of the expert database leads to stable welding process and good weld appearance.

Weld pool image sensor for pulsed MIG welding

Visual image sensor is developed to detect the weld pool images in pulsed MIG welding. An exposure controller, which is composed of the modules of the voltage transforming, the exposure parameters presetting, the complex programmable logic device （CPLD） based logic controlling, exposure signal processing, the arc state detecting, the mechanical iris driving and so on, is designed at first. Then, a visual image sensor consists of an ordinary CCD camera, optical system and exposure controller is established. The exposure synchronic control logic is described with very-high-speed integrated circuit hardware description language （VHDL） and programmed with CPLD , to detect weld pool images at the stage of base current in pulsed MIG welding. Finally, both bead on plate welding and V groove filled welding are carried out, clear and consistent weld pool images are acquired.

A novel variable polarity welding power based on high-frequency pulse modulation

A new type of variable polarity welding power modulated with high-frequency pulse current is developed. Series of high-frequency pulse current is superimposed on direct-current-electrode-negative （DCEN）, which can improve the crystallization process in the weld bead as a result of the electromagnetic force generated by pulse current. Digital signal processor （DSP） is used to realize the closed-loop control of the first inverter, variable polarity output of the second inverter and high-frequency pulse current superposition.

Modeling, Simulation and Control of Pulsed DE-GMA Welding Process for Joining of Aluminum to Steel

Joining of aluminum to steel has attracted significant attention from the welding research community,automotive and rail transportation industries.Many current welding methods have been developed and applied,however,they can not precisely control the heat input to work-piece,they are high costs,low efficiency and consist lots of complex welding devices,and the generated intermetallic compound layer in weld bead interface is thicker.A novel pulsed double electrode gas metal arc welding（Pulsed DE-GMAW）method is developed.To achieve a stable welding process for joining of aluminum to steel,a mathematical model of coupled arc is established,and a new control scheme that uses the average feedback arc voltage of main loop to adjust the wire feed speed to control coupled arc length is proposed and developed.Then,the impulse control simulation of coupled arc length,wire feed speed and wire extension is conducted to demonstrate the mathematical model and predict the stability of welding process by changing the distance of contact tip to work-piece（CTWD）.To prove the proposed PSO based PID control scheme’s feasibility,the rapid prototyping experimental system is setup and the bead-on-plate control experiments are conducted to join aluminum to steel.The impulse control simulation shows that the established model can accurately represent the variation of coupled arc length,wire feed speed and the average main arc voltage when the welding process is disturbed,and the developed controller has a faster response and adjustment,only runs about 0.1 s.The captured electric signals show the main arc voltage gradually closes to the supposed arc voltage by adjusting the wire feed speed in 0.8 s.The obtained typical current waveform demonstrates that the main current can be reduced by controlling the bypass current under maintaining a relative large total current.The control experiment proves the accuracy of proposed model and feasibility of new control scheme further.The beautiful and smooth weld beads are also obtained by this method.Pulsed DE-GMAW can thus be considered as an alternative method for low cost,high efficiency joining of aluminum to steel.

Simulation on Dynamic Characteristic of Negative Resistance Arc in Pulsed TIG Welding

A mathematical model is established on the basis of the physical characteristic of the negative resistance arc when a low current of 0—50 A is applied in pulsed TIG welding. The simulation model converted from the mathematical model is run in MATLAB environment, and the discussion is focused on the way the peak current ranging from 29 A to 50 A and the time constant of arc in the span of 0.003—0.006 s influence the simulating results and the dynamic characteristic. The simulating data are close to that of welding experiments and correspond to the theoretical conclusion.

Analysis of droplet transfer of pulsed MIG welding based on electrical signal and high-speed photography

In order to study how welding parameters affect welding quality and droplet transfer, a synchronous acquisition and analysis system is established to acquire and analyze electrical signal and instantaneous images of droplet transfer simultaneously, which is based on a self-developed soft-switching inverter. On the one hand, welding current and voltage signals are acquired and analyzed by a self-developed dynamic wavelet analyzer. On the other hand, images are filtered and optimized after they are captured by high-speed camera. The results show that instantaneous waveforms and statistical data of electrical signal contribute to make an overall assessment of welding quality, and that optimized high-speed images allow a visual and clear observation of droplet transfer process. The analysis of both waveforms and images leads to a further research on droplet transfer mechanism and provides a basis for precise control of droplet transfer.

Digital pulsed MIG welding machine based on adaptive fuzzy controller

Digital pulsed metal inert gas welding machine with double closed-loop control mode is designed and implemented. It realizes precision control for real time energy and demonstrates the flexibility of digital control. Test results of design prototype show that the designed control strategy can effectively adapt to the change of arc length and achieve ideal droplet transfer via one drop per pulse mode. Thus the welding process is stable and the weld bead is good.

Effect of pulsed laser process parameters on welding quality of automobile fuel injector

In this research, pulverization plate and base of a fuel injector in an automobile electronic-controlled engine was joined by pulsed laser welding. The different welding parameters were evaluated and effect of process parameters on joint characteristics was analyzed. The optimal process parameters were obtained as follows： welding current 120 A, welding speed 600 ram/rain, pulse duration 1.80 ms and pulse frequency 60 Hz. The microstructure of weld metal was investigated. Results show that the fusion zone is austenitic dendrite, the weld center is equiaxed grain, while the transition zone between fusion zone and weld center is mixed crystal with austenitic dendrite and equiaxed grain. The weld layered phenomenon was observed, and eddy caused by keyhole effect is the main reason for the formation of layered structure in molten pool.

Analysis of weld pool vibration characteristics in pulsed gas metal arc welding

Using highspeed camera image measuring and processing,the contour of the weld pool was extracted accurately in pulsed metal inert gas(P-MIG)welding.Based on this extraction method,time and frequency domain characteristics at different points along the contour of the weld pool were analyzed for one pulse one droplet and one pulse two droplets,respectively.The results show that,because of the wave super position that was created by the pulsed arc and droplet impacting the weld pool,the oscillation amplitude along the weld pool fluctuated and decreased with an increase in distance from the point to the arc center.The oscillation near the arc center was complex and intense for one pulse two droplets,and the amplitude were relatively small because the oscillation caused by the pulsed arc could be offset by the molten droplet impact.The weld pool oscillation that was caused by the pulsed arc was stronger than that caused by the droplet.

Digital control of pulsed gas metal arc welding inverter using TMS320LF2407A

A digital control of pulsed gas metal arc welding inverter was proposed. A control system consisting of analogue parts was replaced with a new digital control implemented in a TMS320LF2407A DSP chip. The design and constructional features of the whole digital control were presented. The resources of the DSP chip were efficiently utilized and the circuits are very concise, which can enhance the stability and reliability of welding inverter. Experimental results demonstrate that the developed digital control has the ability to accomplish the excellent pulsed gas metal arc welding process and the merits of the developed digital control are stable welding process, little spatter and perfect weld appearance.