Interfacial Microstructure and Shear Behavior of the Copper/Q235 Steel/Copper Block Fabricated by Explosive Welding

Abstract

A copper/Q235 steel/copper composite block with excellent bonding interfaces was prepared by explosive welding which was a promising technique to fabricate laminates. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the interfaces were investigated via the tensile-shear test, optical microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). The results showed that the shear strength of the upper-interface and lower-interfaces of the welded copper/steel are higher than ~235 MPa and ~222 MPa, respectively. The specimens failed fully within the copper and not at the bonding interface. It was attributed to: (1) no cavities and cracks at the interface; (2) the interface formed a metallurgical bonding including numerous ultra-fine grains (UFGs) which can significantly improve the plastic deformation coordination at the interface and inhibit the generation of micro-cracks.