Composite Plates and Cladding

In terms of application, both surfacing and cladding can meet the requirements. Cladding is relatively uniform and dense, while surfacing can be carried out using manual or automatic welding methods; the quality of surfacing varies greatly depending on the skill level of the operator, which results in inconsistent quality. Although non-destructive testing methods are available for inspection, there are still significant differences in quality.

There is not much difference between surfacing and cladding in terms of application; both are used to provide corrosion protection by applying a composite layer onto the substrate, with a thickness generally ranging from 6 to 10 mm. In composite panels, since explosive bonding is often used, the thickness of the composite layers is uneven and difficult to measure. If surfacing is used, the production time is long, and welding quality must be controlled, resulting in relatively high costs.

The use of surfacing and compounding depends on whether the requirements of the process can be met, as well as the temperature and pressure conditions. There are several methods for processing composite materials, such as pressure molding, explosive molding, bonding, and so on. Cladding can be done using manual welding methods or automatic welders, and the welding materials are available both domestically and imported; there are significant price differences, so each case needs to be analyzed individually. High-pressure equipment for hydrogenation must be used, as well as imported welding materials for automatic strip electrode surfacing machines.

I agree with the additions from the 3rd and 4th floors: the thickness of composite plate materials generally does not reach 6–10 mm, but is usually between 3–6 mm. Manual or automated electrode welding can be used to apply one layer or multiple layers, allowing the thickness to meet the design requirements; moreover, it can satisfy the requirements of various operating conditions depending on the welding material used. Although it takes longer and is more costly, it is indeed an important processing method that enables equipment to meet the demands of diverse applications.

1. In terms of forming efficiency: Composite panels have a high forming efficiency, allowing for explosive forming of the entire panel； On the other hand, surfacing has a relatively low mechanical efficiency and is suitable for small areas of structures where bonding is difficult ； 2. In cases where shear strength is a requirement: Composite panels are classified into three grades, B1, B2, and B3; B1 and B2 have a shear strength of 210 MPa ； B3 is 200 MPa ； The surfacing process yields good results; the shear strength can be increased, and in particular the hardness value rises significantly (surfacing is often used in high-pressure sealing surface structures) ； 3. Composite and cladding structures are different from lining structures; lining structures cannot be used in applications subject to shear forces. I wonder if the above points are helpful?

Cladding is more time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly, and its quality is difficult to guarantee; pores are likely to occur whether the cladding is done mechanically or manually. It generally consists of a transition layer and a cladding layer, with a thickness of up to 6 mm, requiring a large amount of welding, which makes the cylinder prone to deformation. Moreover, the thickness of composite panels is not uniform; if you request a 12+3 composite panel, what might be delivered is actually a 14+4 panel, which will result in a significant increase in the weight of the equipment. The common point of the two is that they are both difficult to weld

Looking at the discussions by these experts above, no conclusive answer was ultimately provided. The cost of surfacing is much higher than that of cladding, and the construction time is longer as well; however, hydrogen reactors usually require surfacing. Is there any standardized guidance on how to make a decision in this regard? I would appreciate your advice. Thank you

I have never seen roll-formed cylinders made using surfacing; composite plates are generally used for them. Those that cannot be rolled (usually forgings) must be made using surfacing.

Composite boards have upper limits on the layer thickness; generally, the maximum layer thickness is 12 mm, with no more than 14 mm allowed. There are no restrictions on the thickness of the surfacing.