Variable-Thickness Clad Layer for Selective Corrosion Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods of cladding dissimilar metals require a substantially uniform thickness for a strong bond, limiting the ability to create selectively thicker regions for enhanced properties like corrosion resistance, friction, or heat resistance.

Innovation Solution

A cladded article with varying thicknesses is achieved through solid-state welding, specifically explosion welding, allowing for thicker regions of the clad layer where needed, and additional materials are bonded to the clad layer surface to create modified regions with desired thicknesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional welding methods are used to bond dissimilar metals, then bonding strength may be achieved, but the ability to create selectively thicker regions is lost due to requirement for uniform thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to create selectively thicker regionsVSAvoidclad layer thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clad layer is divided into multiple regions with different thicknesses - a first region with uniform thickness and a second region with greater thickness. This segmentation allows different portions of the article to have tailored thickness properties, enabling selective thicker regions for enhanced corrosion resistance, friction resistance, or heat resistance without requiring the entire clad layer to be uniformly thick.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by creating a clad layer where specific regions have different thickness characteristics. The second region has greater thickness than the first region, allowing localized enhancement of properties such as corrosion resistance, friction resistance, or heat resistance only where needed, rather than uniformly across the entire article.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If clad layer thickness is increased uniformly to enhance properties, then corrosion resistance and heat resistance improve, but material usage and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistance and heat resistanceVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a clad layer where specific regions have different thickness characteristics. The second region has greater thickness than the first region, allowing localized enhancement of properties such as corrosion resistance, friction resistance, or heat resistance only where needed, rather than uniformly across the entire article.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses partial action by applying the thicker clad layer only to the second region where enhanced properties are needed, rather than applying uniform thickness across the entire article. This partial enhancement of thickness in specific areas achieves the required reliability for corrosion and heat resistance while minimizing overall material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Strength

If solid-state welding is used to bond dissimilar metals, then bonding of dissimilar metals is achieved, but the clad layer must be of substantially uniform thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strength of dissimilar metalsVSAvoidclad layer thickness variation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clad layer is divided into multiple regions with different thicknesses - a first region with uniform thickness and a second region with greater thickness. This segmentation allows different portions of the article to have tailored thickness properties, enabling selective thicker regions for enhanced corrosion resistance, friction resistance, or heat resistance without requiring the entire clad layer to be uniformly thick.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure where the clad layer itself is composed of multiple regions with different thickness characteristics. This composite approach to the clad layer allows it to simultaneously provide strong bonding through solid-state welding while also providing localized thickness variations for enhanced performance in specific areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method enables strong bonding of dissimilar metals with selectively thicker clad layers, enhancing properties like corrosion resistance and heat resistance where required, while minimizing material use and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

solid-state welding the clad layer to the first metallic layer surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid-state welding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

solid-state welding interface region positioned between the clad layer and the first metallic layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion bonding: Diffusion Welding

Implementation Method 3

solid-state welding, specifically explosion welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExplosion welding: Explosive Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3941675B1Cladded article with clad layer having varying thickness and method of manufaturing a cladded article
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 DMC GLOBAL INC
  • EP3941675B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3941675B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3941675B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A cladded article may include a first metallic layer, a clad layer, and a first solid-state welding interface region positioned between the clad layer and the first metallic layer. The clad layer may include a first clad layer region having a first clad layer thickness in a thickness direction of the clad layer and a second clad layer region having a second clad layer thickness in the thickness direction of the clad layer. The second clad layer thickness may be greater than the first clad layer thickness.