Effect of interface morphology on the mechanical properties of titanium clad steel plates

Interface morphology has important influence on the bond quality of titanium clad steel plates. The mechanical properties of titanium clad steel plates with wavy and straight interfaces were investigated by tensile-shear tests and bending tests. The interface morphology of the plates was examined by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results show that the shear strength of a wavy interface is higher than that of a straight interface. A wavy interface is the guarantee for obtaining high shear strength to provide a greater shear resistance. During the macrobending process, cracks appear in the swirl of the wave tip and ferrotitanium intermetallics. For in-situ observing the bending process by SEM, the wave tip of a wavy interface and the massive ferrotitanium intermetallics of a straight interface are places where cracks initiate and propagate. The results are the same as those observed in the macrobending process. Because of high hardness, the wave tip and the massive ferrotitanium intermetallics are hard in terms of compatible deformation.