Joining of Copper to Brass Using Magnetic Pulse Welding

Abstract

In magnetic pulse welding, electromagnetic pressure is used to deform, accelerate and weld workpieces. The process is mostly used for tubular specimens. In this study, experiments were performed in order to investigate the weldability of copper tubes to brass solid workpieces. The tubes had an outer diameter and wall thickness of 25,0 mm and 1,5 mm respectively. A multi-turn coil with 5 windings in combination with a field shaper was used to focus the electromagnetic flux and thus realize the high pressures needed for welding. The process parameters for joining these materials were optimised for maximum weld length. The parameters taken into account were the position of the field shaper relative to the workpieces, the width of the air gap between the tube and the internal workpiece and the energy level. The weld quality was verified based on metallographic examinations, scanning electron microscopy and hardness measurements.