Full-field analysis of AL/FE explosive welded joints for shipbuilding applications

Nowadays explosion weld is widely used in marine structures, thanks to its reliability. AL/FE explosive welded joints, used in shipbuilding applications, were investigated in this research activity. Static and fatigue bending tests were carried out on rectangular specimens made of ASTM A516 low carbon steel, clad by explosion welding with A5086 aluminum alloy and provided with an intermediate layer of pure aluminum. Two full-field techniques were applied during the bending tests: Digital Image Correlation and Infrared Thermography. The digital image correlation technique allowed determining the displacement and strain fields showing that the aluminium side has a higher strain with respect to the steel side, and Infrared Thermography was used to detect the superficial temperature of the specimen allowing the determination of the fatigue limit. The fatigue limit values, predicted using the Thermographic Method during static and fatigue tests, are in good agreement with the experimental values of the fatigue limit. •Static and fatigue bending tests were carried out on AL/FE explosive welded joints, used in shipbuilding.•The Digital Image Correlation technique allowed determining the displacement and strain fields during the tests.•The fatigue strength values, predicted by the Thermographic Method, are in good agreement with the experimental values.