Influence of Twist Channel Angular Pressing Process on Microhardness and Microstructural Behavior of Explosively Welded Al/Cu Plates

Due to their unique properties resulting from the combination of metals with different properties, bimetallic sheets are desirable in the energy, petrochemical, and shipbuilding industries. In this article, explosively welded EN AW-1050/Cu-ETP (Al/Cu) plates were used as the test material. One of the greatest advantages of Al/Cu bimetallic plates is their high deformability, which allows for easy plastic forming. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of severe plastic deformation on the microstructure and microhardness of explosively welded EN AW-1050/Cu-ETP plates. Bimetallic samples were processed using the Twist Channel Angular Pressing (TCAP) process. This process consisted of varying the number of passes and the sample orientation relative to the helical exit channel of the TCAP die. For comparative purposes, a microstructural analysis and the microhardness testing of the as-welded samples were also carried out. Microstructural analysis of TCAP-processed samples showed that the sample deformed along route Bc exhibited the most deformed weld interface profile. No cracking or delamination was observed in the Al/Cu interfacial transition layer of TCAP-processed samples. The number of passes and orientation of the bimetallic material relative to the die exit channel affected the final microhardness in the individual layers of explosively welded EN AW-1050/Cu-ETP bimetallic plate.