Whilst similar products are manufactured by explosive welding in atmospheric conditions, the unique shockwave process produces superior results as shown below.
Triplate® consists of three metals with a steel base material, a corrosion resistant aluminium alloy as the upper layer and, to promote bonding, pure aluminium as the intermediate layer.
The explosive cladding/welding process produces a perfect metallurgical bond which is stronger, more secure and more durable than traditional rivets & welding. Due to its superior bend radii and flexibility more complex profiles can be produced with Triplate®.
| Dimension | Value |
| Standard strip width | Variable |
| Standard strip length | max 3800mm |
| Standard strip thickness - steel | 15 or 18mm |
| Standard strip thickness - aluminium | 12 or 16mm |
| Standard strip thickness - total | 27 or 34mm |
| Size (mm) | Comments |
| 3800 x 16 x 34 | Triplate meets MIL-J-24445A and is approved by Lloyd’s Register of Shipping. |
| 3800 x 20 x 34 | 3.1 certification supplied unless requested otherwise. |
| 3800 x 25 x 34 | 3.2 Lloyds available upon request at time of production. |
| 3800 x 30 x 27 |
Whilst similar products are manufactured by explosive welding in atmospheric conditions, the unique shockwave process produces superior results as shown below.
| Atmospheric | Vaccum |
| Coarse oxide agglomerations with porosity at the steel aluminium interface. | 100% dense, homogenous joint. |
| Oxide agglomerations & porosity initiate fracture. | Does not apply. |
| Oxide agglomerations & porosity can cause corrosion, in spite of protective coatings. | Does not apply. |
| Bending of aluminium-steel strips can be difficult due to the coarser bond structure. | Very good formability due to ductile aluminium-steel joint. |
| Production control is limited by variable weather conditions. | Optimal process control due to constantly reproducible vacuum conditions. |
| Aluminium-steel joint is hard, making sawing & forming difficult. | Easy sawing & forming due to ductile aluminium-steel joint. |
| Property | Value |
| Shear strength – Basemetal/Intelayer | >55N/mm2 |
| Tensile strength (through thickness) | 75N/mm2 |
| Processing temperature | max 315oC |
| Bend test base material in compression | Acceptable |
| Bend test base material in tension | Acceptable |
| Side Bend Test | Acceptable |
| Layer | Material |
| Base material | Steel LRS Ship-Plate Grade A or St 52-/3N |
| Interlayer | 99.5% pure aluminium - Alloy 1050A |
| Superlayer | Aluminium alloy 5083 (AlMg4.5Mn) |