Experimental investigation of weld pool flow under external dc magnetic field

Welding is a complex multiphysics process, where different parameters, such as electric current, oxygen presence, heat flow and weld pool flow, influence the quality of welding joints. The electromagnetic field is one of the ways to affect the liquid phase flow by changing the electromagnetic force distribution in the weld pool. However, the role of different electromagnetic fields is not yet fully understood and described. In this work, we present an enlarged scale model for experimental study of the external DC magnetic field influence on the weld pool flow hydrodynamics. A scale model is used because it is not possible to make direct measurements in a real weld pool. Experimental results obtained with a scale model are used to predict the magnetic field influence on the weld pool flow of a real welding process.