Magnetic Pulse Acceleration

Abstract

The present work is dedicated to describing works in the spheres of simulation, calculation, and experimental results of acceleration by pulsed electromagnetic forces where strain rates of 10,000 - 50,000 s^(-1) are common. The goal is to design a multidisciplinary model that will overcome the shortcomings of normal simulation methods that solve the EM field and then apply the solution in a mechanical analysis. Improved numeric models for virtual simulation of magnetic pulse processes are detailed, along with the pulse-power equipment and a special measurement system developed to verify these models and to determine material property data. These measure both radial velocity and axial speed (collision-point progression) for tube forming and / or welding processes, while logging the pulse current and magnetic field. The results show good a correlation between test and multiphysics model and provide valuable new insights, as well as an extraction of critical parameters by way of a comparison between calculated and measured data for materials such as aluminum alloys, copper, and steel.