Microstructures at Aluminum - Copper Magnetic Pulse Weld Interfaces

Magnetic pulse welding is a fast, contactless, and clean solid-state process. When applied to aluminum and copper, magnetic pulse welding may entirely suppress, or at least minimize, the intermetallic phases that are found in cracking susceptible microstructures. While intermetallic-free joints are ideal for mechanical and electrical properties, an intermetallic compound with a composition similar to the *g1 Cu-Al phase was detected in most magnetic pulse welds. Its presence strongly raised the possibility of interfacial melting, particularly on the low melting point aluminum.