Bonding characteristics and diffusion barrier effect of the TiC phase formed at the bonding interface in an explosively welded titanium/high- carbon steel clad

Microstructural aspects and bonding characteristics of the explosively welded titanium/high-carbon steel clad of the as-welded and postannealed states were investigated. Amorphous and βTi phases were observed at the interface in the as-welded clad. These were considered to be the trace of melting and subsequently rapid solidification of thin layers along the contact surface of both the parent materials. The melting layer was considered to be responsible for the substantial bonding. The TiC layer was formed at the bonding interface by postannealing, which served as a barrier for diffusion of species across the interface and suppressed the formation of Fe-Ti intermetallic compounds. As a result, high bonding strength was preserved even after prolonged annealing at elevated temperatures.