COLD-ROLLING OF MULTILAYER EXPLOSIVELY CLADDED STRIPS

The fabrication of multi-layer (bimetallic and trimetallic) composites for electrical and electronic switches is reported. A thin layer of s older metal (Ag-Cu-Zn) is explosively cladded onto a copper plate; the resulting bimetallic strip is rolled to a thickness of 2 mm and subse quently explosively cladded onto a 2 mm thickness silver-cadmium oxide plate. Rolling is then employed to form the trimetallic composite at its final thickness. The effect of the cladding-rolling variables on t he soundness and micro- and macrostructural properties of the multilay er strips is evaluated in terms of ''surface integrity''; emphasis is also directed towards the influence of rolling on the integrity of the bi- and trimetallic strips. A theoretical approach for calculating fo rce and torque during the rolling of the multi-layer strips is propose d and experimentally validated; experimental and theoretical results a re in good agreement. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd