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 de-
In this experimental research, copper to steel tubular joints were produced by electromagnetic pulse welding. In a first phase, non-supported target tubes were used in order to investigate the influence of the workpiece geometry on the weld formation and joint characteristics. For this purpose, different joint configurations were used, more specific the tube-to-rod and the tube-to-tube configurations, with target workpieces with different diameters and wall thicknesses. Also, some preliminary investigations were performed to examine a support method for the target tubes. In a second phase, suitable support systems for the target tubes were identified. The resulting welds were evaluated in terms of their leak tightness, weld length and deformation of the target tube. It can be concluded that polyurethane (PU), polymethylmethacrylaat (PMMA), polyamide (PA6.6) and steel rods can be considered as valuable internal supports leading to high-quality welds and a sufficient cross-sectional area after welding. Welds with a steel bar support exhibit the highest cross-sectional area after welding, but at the same time the obtained weld quality is lower compared to welds with a PA6.6 or PMMA support. In contrast, welds with a PA6.6 or PU support show the highest weld quality, but also have a lower cross-sectional area after welding compared to steel internal supports.
This study investigated joining of Al to Cu sheets by electromagnetic pulse welding, which is a solid-state welding process that uses electromagnetic forces to join materials. The interfacial morphology and mechanical properties of the Al/Cu joints were analysed and related to the welding process parameters and weld properties. The centre section of the Al/Cu joints evolved from a non-welded to a welded zone. The welded zone started with a wavy interface, consisting of thick interfacial layers with defects and evolved to a relatively flat interface without an interfacial layer. The interfacial layer thickness is determined by both the discharge energy and the stand-off distance. A higher tensile force, up to 4.9 kN, was achieved at a higher energy and a lower stand-off distance of 2 mm. The tensile force is directly related to the weld width, since a higher tensile force is achieved for a higher weld width. In addition, the presence of interfacial layers can contribute to a small extent to a higher tensile force.
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