Effect of pulse current treatment on interface structure and mechanical behavior of TA1/304 clad plates

To ensure the as-rolled clad plates have good machinability, annealing treatment is an effective method to control the microstructure and mechanical properties of titanium/steel clad plates after rolling. For the traditional annealing, the interface structure is seriously deteriorated after 2–3 h annealing treatment. Here, we report a new method of pulse current assisted treatment in short time after rolling. The influence of current density and treatment time was systematically studied. The degree of recovery and recrystallization of matrix as well as the thickness of the interface reaction layer increases with the increase of current density and treatment time. Finally, after 25.30 A/mm2 and 1 min pulse current treatment, the titanium/steel clad plates has good comprehensive property with an elongation of 48% and tensile strength of 737 MPa. It can be attributed that the dislocation density of the matrix decreases rapidly in a short time under the action of pulse current and the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) are rarely formed. This discovery can greatly improve the efficiency of clad plate treatment after rolling and reduce production costs. •Mechanical properties of TA1/304 clad plates after pulse current post-treatment have been studied.•Pulse current treatment improves microstructure and mechanical properties of clad plates in a short time.•The interface microstructure under TEM consists of three layers in addition to the matrix.•Fe–Ti solid solution region formed at the interface without FeTi compound.•Cr is distributed massively at the interface and forms a solid solution region, where FeCr compounds are precipitated.