Interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of copper/stainless steel fabricated by explosive welding

T2 copper/06Cr19Ni10 stainless steel explosive welding clad plate was fabricated with welding parameters estimated by empirical formula. Interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of copper/stainless steel clad plate were studied through optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy spectrum scanner, and mechanical test. It was founded that a regular wavy interface formed between copper and stainless steel after explosive welding. The interface was mainly solid-solid joining, and the discontinuous vortex-like cast microstructure was embedded in the wave peak and trough regions respectively. The microstructure was mainly composed of an ε-Cu matrix, γ-Fe precipitated phase, and stainless steel particles. Adiabatic shear band and austenite transformation were found in the microstructure of stainless steel after explosive welding. Annealing and recrystallization were observed in copper. Interfacial bonding strength was 280. 3 MPa and microhardness of the microstructure near the interface was significantly improved. The maximum tensile strength of the clad plate was 561 MPa, mixed fracture characteristics were observed on the fracture of the bonding area, and the vortex microstructure defects had no obvious effect on the tensile fracture failure.