Use of an oscillating magnetic field as a pool backing for arc welding processes

Arc welding process, comprising:

• arranging an electrode for generating an electric arc between the electrode and joining partners contacted with opposite poles to the electrode, so that a front electrode surface of the electrode is arranged at the front of a joining gap formed by the joining partners;
• arranging a pair of magnetic poles depending on a welding position at one of a rear and a top of the joining gap formed by the joining partners and substantially centered with respect to the front electrode surface, wherein a shortest distance of each magnetic pole of the pair of magnetic poles to the joining partners is identical;
• generating the arc in such a way that the joining partners together form a welding zone comprising a weld pool and substantially simultaneous induction of a low-frequency oscillating magnetic field between the magnetic poles of the pair of magnetic poles, the low-frequency oscillating magnetic field being oriented substantially orthogonally to a main direction of propagation of the arc;
• progressively moving the electrode along the joining gap so that the weld pool moves between the joining partners, leaving behind a weld seam;
• and synchronous entrainment of the low-frequency oscillating magnetic field;
• wherein a magnetic flux density of the low-frequency oscillating magnetic field is selected such that a Lorentz force induced by the low-frequency oscillating magnetic field in the weld pool supports the weld pool against a hydrostatic force and prevents the weld pool from escaping from the joining gap,
• wherein the joining partners are essentially metallic materials and a frequency of the low-frequency oscillating magnetic field is in a range from 100 to 1000 Hz.