Nickel-based Superalloy Layer Deposited on AISI H13 Hot Tool Steel Base Metal Using Explosion Cladding process

An experimental test was carried out to explosively clad solution annealed Inconel 718 superalloy on quench-tempered AISI H13 hot tool steel. A wavy with vortices interface geometry was obtained from this experiment. A gradual change in the wavelength along the direction of welding was observed which was due to a change in the impact angle, following the plate contacts. In this paper, the experiment was simulated by the use of ABAQUS version 6.9 finite element software. The Williamsburg equations of state and Johnson- Cook constitutive equation were used to model the behavior of the explosive and plates, respectively. The numerical result showed that high localized plastic deformation was produced at the bond interface. Pressure magnitude was high enough to create deformation twins and slip lines in the vicinity of Inconel interface to accommodate the plastic deformation caused by shock wave velocity. SEM observation showed that the number of thin melt pockets produced in front of vortices at the interface of Inconel 718 was higher than that of AISI H13 steel. The reason was attributed to the difference between the thermal conductivity of welded alloys. The change of hardness was found to be more severe in superalloy than in steel.