Development of a MIAB welding module and experimental analysis of rotational behavior of arc—simulation of electromagnetic force distribution during MIAB welding of steel pipes using finite element analysis

Abstract

Magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) welding is a unique forge welding process in which an arc is drawn in the gap between the two tubes to be welded in order to raise them to a high temperature to allow forging to form a solid-state weld. In this case, the arc is rotated with a high speed around the weld line by an electromagnetic force resulting from the interaction of the magnetic field and the arc current. This paper presents the details of the results and the conclusions of the experimental trials conducted on the MIAB module designed and developed based on the principle. Further, nonlinear electromagnetic analysis has been performed to determine the magnetic field and electromagnetic force distribution in MIAB process using finite element package ANSYS. Typical results of this analysis pertaining to magnetic field are compared with the experimental data for steel tubes (outer diameter 47 mm and thickness of 2 mm). It is observed that the results from finite element analysis and the experimental trials are in excellent agreement. The proposed three-dimensional finite element method model for electromagnetic force distribution facilitates comprehensive understanding of the arc rotation process in MIAB welding.