Interfacial reactions in an explosively-welded tantalum clad steel plate

The carbide layers which were formed in the bond interface of an explosivel y welded tantalum-steel composite after heat treatment between 1053 and 127 3 K were examined metallographically and analyzed using an electron micropr obe technique. Two layers of carbides, TaC and Ta2C, were observed at 1273 K, and one Ta2C layer at 1053 K. Two different diffusion paths found at 105 3 and 1273 K were constructed and interpreted by means of the Fe-Ta-C equil ibrium phase diagram. One diffusion path at 1273 K,going through the gamma- Fe, TaC, Ta2C and alpha-Ta phases is observed and another one at 1053 K, wh ich goes through the gamma-Fe, alpha-Fe, Ta2C and alpha-Ta phase regions is observed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.