Effect of Impact Energy on the Interface Microstructure of Explosively Clad Mild Steel and Titanium

Effect of load ratio (R) on the interface microstructure and phase stability was investigated in mild steel/Grade-2 Ti explosive clads using experimental and JMatPro® computations. At low-impact-energy conditions (i.e., R = 1.07), the interface exhibited a symmetrical wavy morphology with molten metal entrapped in isolated regions within the vortices of the waves, while at high-impact loading conditions (R = 3) the interface had complex weld solidification structure consisting of planar interface, columnar and equiaxed dendrites. Based on the study, it was concluded that under high-impact loading conditions, the interface microstructure of the explosive clads will resemble fusion welded joints, but with relatively lower thickness of the interaction zones.