Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti/Ta/Cu/Ni alloy laminate composite materials produced by explosive welding

Ti/Ni alloy-based laminate composite materials were produced by explosive welding with two thin intermediate layers of tantalum and copper placed between Ti and Ni alloy layers. The influence of the thickness of the Cu interlayer (0.1–0.7 mm) on the structure and mechanical properties of the explosively welded composites was examined. Investigations carried out by optical and scanning electron microscopy showed the formation of an inhomogeneous structure in the vicinity of the interfaces with zones of local melting and cavities within these zones. The wavelength and the amplitude at the interface between the copper and tantalum interlayers changed with the thickness of the copper layer. In order to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composites containing copper interlayers of different thicknesses, microhardness, tensile, and bending tests were performed. As the thickness of the copper layer was decreased to 0.3 mm, the tensile and bending strengths of the laminate composites increased.