Numerical studies of magnetohydrodynamic technology in suppressing process porosity during laser beam welding

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) technology is employed to mitigate the porosity problem during partial penetration laser beam welding (LBW) of 10 mm thick aluminum alloy. The effectiveness and universal applicability of the MHD technology in reducing porosity during the LBW process are confirmed by a reduction in the porosity ratio of more than 89%. A transient 3D multi-physical model coupled with the MHD effect has been developed to investigate the suppression mechanism of process porosity. Due to the influence of Lorentz force, there is an obvious change in the weld pool length. This change widens the escaping channel of bubbles escaping from the weld pool. The application of an oscillating magnetic field changes the fluid flow pattern noticeably, whose influence on the formation of porosity defects is highly complicated and nonlinear.