Interfacial reactions in an explosively-welded tantalum clad steel plate

The carbide layers which were formed in the bond interface of an explosively welded tantalum–steel composite after heat treatment between 1053 and 1273 K were examined metallographically and analyzed using an electron microprobe 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 1053 and 1273 K were constructed and interpreted by means of the Fe–Ta–C equilibrium phase diagram. One diffusion path at 1273 K, going through the γ-Fe, TaC, Ta2C and α-Ta phases is observed and another one at 1053 K, which goes through the γ-Fe, α-Fe, Ta2C and α-Ta phase regions is observed.