Structural Analysis of Three-metal Explosion Joint: Zirconium-titanium-steel

Explosion metal welding is high-speed angle oblique collision of two or more metal plates caused by detonation. The metal is joined – welded under high dynamic pressure creating by plastic deformation the waves on the bond interface, accompanied by local adiabatic heating 1 . The explosive metal cladding process can be divided into three stages: a) generation of explosion energy through the detonation of explosive charge, b) acceleration and deformation of the cladding plate and c) collision of the cladding plate with the base plate. A schematic illustration of explosive metal welding is given in Figure 1 2, 3 . After the initiation of the explosive charge, the detonation wave “travels” at a constant velocity VD which depends on the explosive material characteristics and explosive charge density. The detonation wave is transformed into a shock wave in the metal (position 1 in Figure 1). The clad plate, driven by detonation products, accelerates, bends twice and hits the lower fixed plate. The explosion energy generates very high pressure (approximately 100 GPa) and the collision point travels gradually along the base plate at velocity VC. Under the influence of the “surface” cumulative flow, oxides and other impurities on the two surfaces are decomposed, and partly removed from the bonding area.