Investigation on the explosive-welding of tungsten alloy rod with steel jacket

Abstract Theoretical calculations and experimental research were conducted on the explosive welding and forming of steel jacketed tungsten alloy composite rods. Reliable methods for calculating the boundaries of the weldability window of composite rods and the collision velocity between rod and tube are obtained. Under the condition of approaching the upper limit of explosive welding, a steel jacketed tungsten alloy composite rod was successfully produced through experiments with a good welding effect. The interface morphology at three different positions of the composite rod, top, middle, and bottom, was observed using a metallographic microscope. The interface waveform showed a change from a sine waveform to a vortex waveform and then back to a sine waveform, accompanied by a special arch bridge structure with wavelength sizes ranging from 167.2-210 μm and wave amplitude sizes ranging from 13-23.4 μm. Shear mechanical performance tests were conducted on the bonding interface of specimens at different positions, and the shear strength of the bonding interface was about 400MPa. The higher the deformation degree of the tungsten alloy material at the bonding interface, the higher the bonding strength. The increase in waveform size contributes more to the shear strength of the bonding interface than the increase in the percentage of the arch bridge structure.