Microstructure,strength and welding window of aluminum alloy-stainless steel explosive cladding with different interlayers

Aluminum 5052(Al 5052)-stainless steel 316(SS 316)plates were explosively cladded with Al 1100,pure copper and SS 304 interlayers.The operational parameters viz.,standoff distance,explosive mass ratio(mass ratio of the explosive to the flyer plate)and inclination angle were varied and the results were presented.The advent of interlayer relocates the lower boundary of the welding window,and enhances the welding regime by 40%.A triaxial welding window,considering the influence of the third operational parameter,was developed as well.Use of interlayer transforms the continuous molten layer formed in the traditional Al 5052-SS 316 explosive clad interfaces into a smooth interface devoid or with a slender presence of intermetallic compounds.The microhardness,ram tensile and shear strengths of the interlayered clads are higher than those of the traditional explosive clads,and the maximum values are witnessed for stainless steel interlaced Al 5052-SS 316 explosive clads.

Microstructural characterization of silicon carbide reinforced dissimilar grade aluminium explosive clads

Aluminium composites are inevitable in ship building,commercial and defence aircrafts construction due to their light weight,high strength to weight ratio,admirable properties and cost affordability.In this study,the microstructural characteristics of explosive cladded dissimilar grade aluminium(Al 1100-Al 5052) clad composites reinforced with silicon carbide(SiC) particles is presented.Microstructure taken at the interface by optical and scanning electron microscopes(SEM) revealed the formation of a silicon carbide layer between the dissimilar grade aluminium sheets.Though reaction layers were witnessed at few locations along the interface,the diffusion of atoms between the participant metals is not visible as confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy,elemental mapping,line analysis and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The variation in microhardness at various regions of the silicon carbide reinforced dissimilar aluminium explosive clad is reported.The increase in tensile strength of the SiC laced clad is also presented.

Numerical and experimental investigation on aluminum 6061-Vgrooved stainless steel 304 explosive cladding

This study attempts to analyze the microstructure and interface behavior of aluminum 6061(Al 6061)-Vgrooved stainless steel(SS304)explosive cladding by numerical and experimental methods.Numerical simulation was performed by Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics(SPH)technique,in ANSYS AUTODYN,and the results are correlated with experimental outcome.The machining of V-grooves on the base plate transform the melted layer formed in conventional cladding(without grooves on the base plate)into a smooth undulating interface,for a similar experimental condition.The flyer plate and collision velocities,observed in numerical simulation,are in good agreement to the analytical expectations.The pressure developed in the flyer plate is higher than the base plate and the maximum pressure is witnessed at the collision point irrespective of grooved base plate or otherwise.The temperature developed in the collision point of conventional explosive cladding exceeds the melting point of both the participant metals,whereas,it exceeds the melting point of aluminum alone,in case of V-grooved base plate cladding.The shear and impact strengths of the V-grooved base plate clads are higher than the conventional clads and the fracture surfaces exhibit mixed modes of fracture.

Effect of silicon carbide and wire-mesh reinforcements in dissimilar grade aluminium explosive clad composites

Aluminium composites are inevitable in the manufacture of aircraft structural elements owing to less weight,superior corrosion resistance and higher specific properties.These composites reduce the weight of the aircraft,improve the fuel efficiency and enhance the maintenance duration.This study proposes the development of dissimilar grade aluminium(aluminium 1100-aluminium 5052)composites with different reinforcement’s viz.,stainless steel wire-mesh,silicon carbide(SiC)powders and SiC powder interspersed wire-mesh,by explosive cladding technique.Wire-mesh enhances the friction and restricts the movement of flyer plate to craft a defect free clad,while SiC particles form a band on the interface.Highest strength is obtained when SiC powder interspersed wire mesh is employed as reinforcement.The dissimilar aluminium explosive clad with SiC particle reinforcement results in lower strength,which is higher than that of the weaker parent alloy and that of the conventional dissimilar aluminium explosive clads without any reinforcement.

Microstructural Characteristics of Underwater Shock Consolidated Aluminum Composites

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) offer extra strength and high temperature capabilities in comparison with unrein-forced metals. Aluminum composites possess higher stiffness, strength, fatigue properties and low weight advantages. Carbon fiber reinforced Al composites (Al-Cf) and silicon carbide particulate reinforced Al composites (AI-SiCp) were shock densified using axisymmetric assemblies for underwater explosions. Unidirectional planar shock waves were applied to obtain uniform consolidation of the composites. The energy generator was a high explosive of 6.9 km/s detonation velocity. Irregular morphological powders of Al were the base material. The reinforcement ratio was 15 Vol. pet for Al-Cf composites and 30 Vol. pet for AI-SiCp composites. The microstructural and the strength characteristics of the shock consolidated Al composites are reported.