Explosive welding of interface between aluminum alloy and steel plate with dovetail grooves

In this work, using a 5083 aluminum alloy plate (4 mm×410 mm×410 mm) and a Q345 steel plate with dovetail grooves (15 mm×400 mm×400 mm) as the flyer and base plates, and based on the lower limit of explosive welding of aluminum alloy with steel calculated from theoretical formulas, we carried out explosive welding experiments with selected parameters which were close to the lower limit. We studied the bonding performances on the interfaces of the 5083/Q345 clad plate by checking its mechanical properties and observing its micro-structure. The results show that the explosive welding of aluminum alloy and steel is achieved through a combined action of the metallurgical bonding and the extraction and meshing of the dovetail grooves; the bonding interface between the aluminum alloy and the upper, lower and inclined surfaces of the dovetail grooves exhibits an even shape; the welding between the aluminum alloy and the upper and lower surfaces of the dovetail grooves is realized by both direct bonding and discontinuous melting while that between the aluminum alloy and the inclined surface of the dovetail grooves is realized by continuous melting. The tensile shear strength of the clad plate is greater than 172 MPa, which satisfies the requirement placed on the bonding strength of a Al/Fe clad plate.