A new method for explosive welding of Al/ZrO2 joint using regulated underwater shock wave

Thin aluminium plate was welded onto a zirconia ceramic by the use of a new ly developed explosive welding technique. A 0.1 mm-thick aluminium plate wa s accelerated about 800 m s(-1) by regulated underwater shock wave and coll ided with a zirconia plate at a certain collision angle under moderate cond itions for explosive welding. The use of a stainless steel cover plate abov e an aluminium plate and the use of ceramic block next to the ceramic to be welded, were effective in eliminating cracks generated in the ceramic. The use of a ceramic container made from epoxy resin mixed with steel powders was also useful in crack reducton. No separation at the bonded interface wa s observed at the fracture surface obtained through a bending test in a sam ple fabricated under moderate conditions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. Al l rights reserved.