Experimental investigation on fabrication of Al/Fe bi-metal tubes by the magnetic pulse cladding process

Magnetic pulse cladding (MPC), a new technology, is proposed in this study to fabricate often utilized bi-metal tubing in engineering applications with an outer tubular component consisting of structurally strong material and an inner tubular layer of corrosion-resistant material. The MPC process includes an innovative feature that allows the outer and inner tubes to electromagnetically bond together by a sequential expansion process to form a mechanical bond between the tubes at the interface. The MPC process was experimentally arranged to produce an Al/Fe bi-metal tube with an outer carbon steel tube and an internal aluminum tube. A mechanical test was then applied to characterize bonding strength of the Al/Fe bi-metal tube. Significant process parameters including discharging voltage, radial gap, and feeding length were identified based on bonding strength influence. Overall feasibility was demonstrated for the MPC process in electromagnetic expansion pattern in the production of bi-metal tubing.