The effects of heat treatment on the microstructure and microhardness of explosive welding

Abstract

An AISI 304 type of austenitic stainless steel and low carbon steel were cladded by explosive welding in this study. Four explosive loading rates were used with the range of 1 and 2.0. Stand-of distance (s=t) was also used as a welding parameter. Cladded materials have been subjected to heat treatment at 250°C for times of ranging from 1 to 4 h. Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties has been evaluated using optical and scanning electron microscopy, EDS analysis technique and hardness tests, respectively. The results indicate that straight and wavy structures of bonding at the interface were obtained according to the loading of explosive rate. The grain size of the cladded materials near the interface were increased with the duration of heat treatment. Hardness values at the interface of the cladded materials were decreased with the increment of heat treatment period. © 2011 Academic Journals.