Metallurgical and Mechanical Properties of Wire-Mesh Reinforced Dissimilar Explosive Cladding

Abstract

Explosive cladding employs a controlled chemical explosive detonation to craft a metallurgical bond between similar and dissimilar metals. Aluminum 5052-copper and aluminum 5052-aluminum 1100 plates are explosively cladded with a stainless steel wire-mesh, having 900 orientation between them, at varied loading ratios (mass of explosive/mass of flyer plate). Microstructural, corrosion and mechanical properties of the clad were evaluated as per relevant standards and the results are presented. The dissimilar wire-mesh interlayered explosive clad reveal wavy topography, with the interfacial wave amplitude and wavelength proportional to loading ratio, R. The mechanical behavior of wire-mesh reinforced clad is better than weaker aluminum parent plate.