CARBON STEEL CLADDING PLATE A516 GR.70 WITH N04400 ONE SIDE CLADDING
Explosive Composite Steel Plate (Explosion-Welded Clad Plate)
Explosive composite steel plate, also known as explosion-welded clad plate, is a high-performance material created by bonding two or more dissimilar metals using controlled detonation. This process forms a metallurgical bond without significantly altering the properties of the base metals.
1. How Explosive Cladding Works
The process involves:
- Base Plate (Backing Metal): Typically carbon steel (e.g., A516 Gr.70) or low-alloy steel.
- Clad Layer (Corrosion-Resistant Metal): Such as Monel 400 (N04400), stainless steel, titanium, or nickel alloys.
- Explosive Material: A high-energy explosive (e.g., RDX or ammonium nitrate) is placed over the clad layer.
- Detonation: When ignited, the explosion creates extreme pressure (up to 10 GPa) and high velocity (hundreds to thousands of m/s), forcing the two metals to collide at an angle, creating a metallurgical bond.
2. Advantages of Explosive Clad Plates
Strong Bonding: Higher shear strength than roll-bonded or weld-overlay cladding.
Wide Material Combinations: Compatible with metals that are otherwise difficult to weld (e.g., steel + titanium, steel + copper).
No Intermetallic Brittleness: Unlike fusion welding, explosion welding avoids harmful phases.
Thickness Flexibility: Clad layer can range from 1mm to 30mm.
Cost-Effective: Saves expensive alloys by using them only where needed.
3. Applications of Explosive Composite Plates
- Oil & Gas: Pressure vessels, pipelines, offshore platforms.
- Chemical Processing: Reactors, heat exchangers, acid storage tanks.
- Power Plants: FGD systems, condenser tubes.
- Marine & Desalination: Seawater handling equipment.
- Aerospace & Defense: Lightweight armor, rocket components.
| Method | Explosive Welding | Weld Overlay |
| Bond Strength | Very High | Moderate-High |
| Material Options | Very Wide | Limited |
| Heat Input | None (Cold Process) | Very High |
| Cost | Medium-High | High (Labor) |
| Thickness Control | Excellent | Poor (Uneven) |
5. Common Explosive Clad Combinations
- Carbon Steel + Stainless Steel (304/316)
- A516 Gr.70 + Monel 400 (N04400)
- Steel + Titanium (Gr.2/Gr.5)
- Steel + Copper/Nickel Alloys
6. Standards & Testing
- ASTM B898 (Explosion-welded clad plates)
- ASME SA264 (Stainless-clad steel plate)
- ISO 23206 (Explosive welding)
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Ultrasonic testing (UT), radiography (RT).
