Influence of Grooved Base Plate on Microstructure and Mechanical Strength of Aluminum-Stainless Steel Explosive Cladding

摘要

In this study, aluminum 6061 (AA6061) plates are explosively cladded with stainless steel 304 (SS304) plates having 'V' and dovetail grooves machined on the mating surfaces of the stainless steel plates. The results are correlated with the outcome of Al 6061-groove less SS 304 explosive clads. The machining of the grooves promotes undulating interfaces, due to the enhancement in the kinetic energy utilization. Though, a slender molten layer formation comprising of FeAl2, Al3Fe and Al5Fe2 compounds are observed in the crest of the grooves, mechanical strength of the clads increases because of the enhanced integrity across the grooved region. Micro-hardness increases in the closer proximity of the collision surface, while the tensile and shear strength of the AA6061-grooved SS304 explosive clads are higher than the conventional Al-groove less steel explosive clads. Of the two grooved base plates attempted, V-grooved base plate exhibits superior microstructure and strength characteristics. Fracture surface of both tensile and shear test specimens exhibits ductile and mixed mode of fracture at different locations of the clad.