1. Stainless Steel Clad Plate

Stainless steel clad plate is one of the largest categories of clad steel used in chemical processing, pressure vessels, storage equipment and industrial fabrication.

Typical cladding grades include:

Austenitic Stainless Steel

304

304L

316

316L

317L

321

347

904L

Ferritic / Chromium Stainless Steel

410S

430

Other project-specific chromium stainless grades

Duplex Stainless Steel

2101

2304

2205

Super Duplex Stainless Steel

2507

Other project-specific super duplex grades

Common base materials include:

ASTM A516 Grade 60

ASTM A516 Grade 65

ASTM A516 Grade 70

ASTM A36

Low-alloy pressure vessel steel

EN pressure vessel grades

GB pressure vessel steel

Stainless clad plate is commonly used for:

Reactors | Pressure Vessels | Storage Tanks | Process Towers | Pulp & Paper Equipment | Food Processing Equipment | Heat Exchangers

Main Benefit

Instead of producing the entire pressure-bearing wall from 316L, 904L or duplex stainless steel, the designer can use a thinner corrosion-resistant stainless layer over a structural steel base.

2. Nickel Clad Steel Plate

Commercially pure nickel provides excellent performance in selected chemical and alkaline environments.

Typical grades include:

Nickel 200 / UNS N02200

Nickel 201 / UNS N02201

Nickel clad steel may be selected for:

Caustic processing

Chemical production

Alkali service

Process tanks

Chemical reactors

Heat exchangers

Specialized process equipment

Common clad plate specifications for nickel and nickel-base alloys are based on ASTM A265.

3. Nickel Alloy Clad Plate

Nickel alloy clad plate represents one of the highest-value segments of the clad plate market.

Typical grades include:

Nickel-Chromium Alloys

Alloy 600 / UNS N06600

Alloy 601 / UNS N06601

Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum Alloys

Alloy 625 / UNS N06625

Alloy C276 / UNS N10276

Alloy C22 / UNS N06022

Alloy C4

Alloy 59

Nickel-Iron-Chromium Alloys

Alloy 800

Alloy 800H

Alloy 800HT

Alloy 825 / UNS N08825

Nickel-Copper Alloys

Monel 400 / UNS N04400

Monel K500 / UNS N05500

Special Corrosion-Resistant Alloys

Alloy 20 / UNS N08020

Alloy B2

Alloy B3

Nickel alloy clad steel can provide a corrosion-resistant process surface for large pressure vessels without requiring the full wall thickness to be manufactured from an expensive nickel alloy.

Typical applications include:

Chemical reactors

Petrochemical vessels

Oil and gas processing

Offshore equipment

FGD systems

Acid processing

Desalination

High-temperature process equipment

Heat exchangers

4. Titanium Clad Steel Plate

Titanium clad plate combines the exceptional corrosion resistance of titanium with the strength and lower cost of steel.

Typical titanium cladding grades include:

Titanium Grade 1

Titanium Grade 2

Titanium Grade 7

Titanium Grade 12

Other titanium alloys subject to project review

Typical structures include:

Titanium + Carbon Steel

Titanium + Pressure Vessel Steel

Titanium + Stainless Steel

Titanium + Intermediate Layer + Steel

Titanium clad steel is widely considered for:

Seawater systems

Desalination plants

Chlor-alkali equipment

Chemical processing

Vacuum salt production

Heat exchangers

Reactors

Pressure vessels

Marine equipment

Flue-gas systems

Titanium, zirconium, tantalum and niobium clad plates are covered within the scope of ASTM B898 when applicable.

5. Zirconium Clad Plate

Zirconium is used in particularly severe chemical environments where many stainless steels and nickel alloys may not provide sufficient corrosion resistance.

Typical grades include:

Zirconium 702 / UNS R60702

Zirconium 705 / UNS R60705

Typical structures include:

Zirconium + Carbon Steel

Zirconium + Pressure Vessel Steel

Zirconium + Intermediate Metal + Steel

Typical applications may include:

Acetic acid processing

Formic acid service

Chemical reactors

Specialty chemical plants

Process vessels

Heat-transfer equipment

Because zirconium is relatively expensive, clad construction can provide major economic advantages for large equipment.

6. Tantalum Clad Plate

Tantalum offers exceptional corrosion resistance in many severe chemical environments.

However, manufacturing an entire large pressure vessel from tantalum would be economically impractical for most projects.

Tantalum clad construction allows a thin functional layer to be bonded to a lower-cost structural substrate.

Typical applications include:

Severe acid processing

Specialty chemical production

High-purity chemical equipment

Reactors

Process vessels

Heat-transfer equipment

Tantalum clad products may require one or more intermediate layers depending on the base metal and bonding system.

7. Niobium Clad Plate

Niobium and niobium alloys can also be incorporated into engineered clad systems.

Applications are more specialized than stainless, nickel or titanium clad plate and may include:

Chemical equipment

High-temperature systems

Specialty process equipment

Research and energy equipment

Niobium is included together with titanium, zirconium and tantalum within ASTM B898's reactive and refractory metal clad plate scope.

8. Copper Clad Steel Plate

Copper clad steel combines the strength of steel with the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity or corrosion characteristics of copper.

Typical copper cladding materials include:

C11000 copper

Deoxidized copper

Other industrial copper grades

Common structures:

Copper + Carbon Steel

Copper + Stainless Steel

Copper + Steel + Copper

Typical applications include:

Electrical equipment

Busbar systems

Grounding components

Electrochemical equipment

Metallurgical equipment

Heat-transfer components

Conductive structural components

Copper-steel clad plate should not automatically be specified according to pressure-vessel stainless/nickel clad standards. Acceptance requirements should be agreed according to the product design and applicable project specification.

9. Copper Alloy Clad Plate

Copper alloy cladding can be selected when seawater resistance, thermal conductivity or specialized corrosion performance is required.

Potential alloy systems include:

Copper-Nickel

Cu-Ni 90/10

C70600

Cu-Ni 70/30

C71500

Brass

Selected copper-zinc alloys.

Bronze

Selected copper-based alloys according to project requirements.

Typical applications include:

Marine equipment

Seawater systems

Condenser components

Heat exchangers

Offshore equipment

Electrical equipment

10. Aluminum-Steel Clad Plate

Aluminum and steel are difficult to join directly using conventional fusion welding because of their significantly different metallurgical and physical properties.

Explosion-bonded aluminum-steel transition materials provide a practical joining solution.

Typical structures include:

Aluminum + Carbon Steel

Aluminum + Stainless Steel

Aluminum + Titanium + Steel

Applications can include:

Shipbuilding

Marine structures

Cryogenic equipment

Aluminum superstructures joined to steel hulls

Electrical equipment

Bus systems

Transition joints

This product family should be treated separately from conventional corrosion-resistant pressure-vessel clad steel.

11. Stainless Steel / Aluminum Transition Plate

Stainless steel-to-aluminum transition joints may be manufactured through explosion bonding with an appropriate intermediate layer.

Typical applications include:

Marine construction

Cryogenic systems

Electrical equipment

Transportation

Specialized welded structures

These transition plates enable subsequent welding between otherwise difficult-to-join metal systems.

12. Titanium / Copper Clad Plate

Titanium-copper composite plate combines the corrosion resistance of titanium with the electrical and thermal conductivity of copper.

Typical applications may include:

Electrolytic equipment

Hydrometallurgy

Electrochemical systems

Chemical equipment

Cathode and electrode components

This is an important clad-metal category beyond traditional steel-base pressure vessel plate.

13. Titanium / Stainless Steel Clad Plate

This combination can be used where both corrosion resistance and compatibility with a stainless structural system are required.

Applications may include:

Chemical processing

Electrochemical equipment

Specialized piping and vessel components

Transition structures

14. Multilayer Clad Plate

Not all clad products contain only two metals.

Complex material combinations may require an intermediate metal to improve:

Metallurgical compatibility

Bonding

Thermal expansion transition

Welding

Diffusion control

Typical constructions may include:

Clad Metal + Intermediate Layer + Base Metal

Examples:

Titanium + Tantalum + Steel

Titanium + Aluminum + Steel

Aluminum + Titanium + Stainless Steel

Copper + Nickel + Steel

Multilayer structures are engineered according to the application rather than selected from a standard stock list.

Single-Sided Clad Plate

Structure:

Cladding + Base Metal

This is the most common configuration for process vessels because only the process-contact surface requires corrosion protection.

Double-Sided Clad Plate

Structure:

Cladding + Base Metal + Cladding

Used when both plate surfaces require special properties.

Applications may include:

Chemical equipment

Heat-transfer structures

Electrochemical equipment

Specialized tanks

Three-Layer Clad Plate

Structure:

Functional Metal + Intermediate Layer + Structural Metal

Used where direct bonding between two metals is metallurgically difficult.

Symmetrical Multilayer Plate

Example:

Stainless + Carbon Steel + Stainless

This structure can provide corrosion-resistant surfaces on both sides while maintaining an economical structural core.

 

Explosion Bonded Clad Plate

Explosion bonding is one of the most important technologies for manufacturing dissimilar-metal clad plate.

A controlled explosive detonation accelerates one metal plate toward another at high velocity.

Under controlled collision conditions, surface contaminants are expelled and an intense metallurgical interaction occurs at the interface.

The result is a metallurgical bond rather than an adhesive connection.

Explosion bonding is particularly useful for combinations involving:

Titanium

Zirconium

Nickel alloys

Copper

Aluminum

Tantalum

Stainless steel

Carbon steel

Advantages of Explosion Bonding

Explosion bonding provides:

Broad dissimilar-metal compatibility

Large plate capability

Limited bulk thermal exposure

Strong metallurgical interface

Customized layer combinations

Multilayer structures

Thick base plate capability

Project-specific dimensions

Roll Bonded Clad Plate

Roll bonding uses rolling pressure, typically combined with controlled thermal processing, to bond the cladding material to the base plate.

Typical applications include:

Stainless clad steel

High-volume clad plate

Compatible alloy combinations

Industrial pressure vessel plate

Roll bonding is particularly attractive when:

Large production volumes are required

Material combinations are metallurgically compatible

Tight dimensional control is important

Mill-scale production efficiency is required

Explosion Bonded + Hot Rolled Clad Plate

Some clad products use a combined manufacturing route.

Initial bonding is created through explosion bonding, followed by hot rolling.

Potential advantages include:

Reduced total thickness

Improved dimensional uniformity

Larger finished area

Controlled cladding ratio

Improved flatness

The suitability of this process depends strongly on material combination and heat-treatment sensitivity.

Weld overlay is frequently compared with clad plate but is a different corrosion-resistant lining technology.

Feature	Clad Plate	Weld Overlay
Corrosion Layer	Pre-existing alloy plate	Weld-deposited alloy
Bond	Metallurgical interface	Fusion weld
Large Surface Coverage	Highly efficient	Welding-intensive
Alloy Dilution	Limited through most clad thickness	Must be carefully controlled
Thickness Uniformity	Generally high	Depends on welding process
Complex Geometry	More difficult	Often advantageous
Local Repair	More involved	Convenient
Typical Use	Vessel shells, heads, tubesheets	Nozzles, local surfaces, complex parts

Many pressure vessels use both technologies:

Clad Plate for Large Shell Areas + Weld Overlay for Nozzles and Local Details

 

A loose liner is not the same as a metallurgically bonded clad plate.

Loose lining may rely on:

Mechanical attachment

Plug welding

Edge welding

Intermittent attachment

Metallurgical clad plate has continuous or specified metallurgical bonding between the alloy and base plate.

For pressure vessel design, fabrication behavior and inspection requirements are therefore substantially different.

 

ASTM A263

Stainless Chromium Steel-Clad Plate

Typically applicable to carbon or low-alloy steel integrally bonded with chromium stainless steel.

ASTM A264

Stainless Chromium-Nickel Steel-Clad Plate

One of the principal standards for stainless steel clad pressure-vessel plate.

Typical cladding materials can include chromium-nickel stainless systems according to the applicable specification.

ASTM A265

Nickel and Nickel-Base Alloy-Clad Steel Plate

Applies to carbon or low-alloy steel base plate integrally bonded with nickel or nickel-base alloy.

Important products include:

Nickel 200 clad steel

Alloy 600 clad steel

Alloy 625 clad steel

C276 clad steel

Alloy 825 clad steel

Monel 400 clad steel

Other qualifying nickel-alloy clad systems

ASTM B898

Reactive and Refractory Metal Clad Plate

Covers clad plate using:

Titanium

Zirconium

Tantalum

Niobium

Their alloys

The standard is particularly relevant for pressure-vessel applications.

The clad plate standard and cladding-alloy material standard must not be confused.

Cladding Material	Typical UNS	Typical Flat Product Standard	Composite Clad Standard
304L	S30403	ASTM A240	ASTM A264
316L	S31603	ASTM A240	ASTM A264
317L	S31703	ASTM A240	ASTM A264
904L	N08904	ASTM A240 / applicable product specification	ASTM A264 where applicable
Nickel 200	N02200	ASTM B162	ASTM A265
Nickel 201	N02201	ASTM B162	ASTM A265
Alloy 400	N04400	ASTM B127	ASTM A265
Alloy 600	N06600	ASTM B168	ASTM A265
Alloy 625	N06625	ASTM B443	ASTM A265
Alloy 825	N08825	ASTM B424	ASTM A265
Alloy C276	N10276	ASTM B575	ASTM A265
Alloy C22	N06022	ASTM B575	ASTM A265
Alloy 20	N08020	ASTM B463	ASTM A265
Titanium Grade 1	R50250	ASTM B265	ASTM B898
Titanium Grade 2	R50400	ASTM B265	ASTM B898
Titanium Grade 7	R52400	ASTM B265	ASTM B898
Zirconium 702	R60702	ASTM B551	ASTM B898
Zirconium 705	R60705	ASTM B551	ASTM B898

 

A customer should not simply specify:

“ASTM B443 Alloy 625 Clad Plate.”

ASTM B443 primarily identifies Alloy 625 flat product requirements.

A complete engineered specification should define:

Cladding Alloy Standard
+
Base Metal Standard
+
Clad Plate Standard
+
Bond Requirement
+
Inspection Requirement

Example:

3 mm UNS N06625 ASTM B443 + 22 mm ASTM A516 Gr.70, clad plate according to ASTM A265

This is much more technically meaningful.

 

The base plate is selected primarily for structural and mechanical performance.

Carbon Steel

Typical materials:

ASTM A36

Other structural carbon steel

Pressure Vessel Steel

Common grades include:

ASTM A516 Grade 55

ASTM A516 Grade 60

ASTM A516 Grade 65

ASTM A516 Grade 70

A516/A516M remains a major ASTM carbon-steel pressure-vessel plate specification for moderate and lower-temperature service.

Cr-Mo Pressure Vessel Steel

For elevated-temperature applications, selected ASTM A387 grades may be considered.

Examples include:

A387 Grade 11

A387 Grade 22

Compatibility with the bonding and heat-treatment process must be evaluated.

EN Pressure Vessel Plate

Depending on project requirements, base plate may include grades such as:

P265GH

P355GH

Other EN pressure-vessel grades

GB Pressure Vessel Steel

Possible project grades include:

Q245R

Q345R

Q370R

Availability should be confirmed according to project specification.

 

A professional clad-plate inquiry should define both materials separately.

Example

Cladding: Alloy C276 / UNS N10276
Cladding Standard: ASTM B575
Cladding Thickness: 3 mm

Base Metal: ASTM A516 Grade 70
Base Thickness: 25 mm

Total Thickness: 28 mm

Clad Standard: ASTM A265

Bonding: Explosion bonded

Size: 2500 × 8000 mm

UT: 100% according to agreed acceptance criteria

Application: Chemical pressure vessel

This specification is much better than simply requesting:

“28 mm C276 clad plate.”

The cladding layer and base steel perform different functions.

The base thickness is primarily determined by:

Internal pressure

External pressure

Vessel diameter

Mechanical loading

Temperature

Design code

Corrosion allowance of base material where applicable

The cladding thickness is influenced by:

Corrosion rate

Design life

Fabrication allowance

Forming

Grinding

Welding

Surface machining

Inspection

Minimum remaining thickness requirement

Increasing clad thickness increases corrosion allowance but also increases the quantity of expensive alloy.

The optimum solution is therefore an engineering and lifecycle-cost decision.

Clad plate should not be purchased purely on a generic cladding percentage.

The required structure should normally be specified directly:

Cladding Thickness + Base Thickness

For example:

3 + 20 mm

means:

3 mm corrosion-resistant layer + 20 mm base metal

This is clearer than specifying only total plate thickness.

 

The interface is one of the most important characteristics of clad plate.

A high-quality clad plate requires:

Adequate metallurgical bonding

Controlled unbonded areas

Sufficient bond strength

Fabrication stability

Resistance to delamination during forming

Bond quality directly affects subsequent:

Rolling

Forming

Welding

Machining

Equipment service

1. Technical Review

Confirm:

Cladding grade

Base grade

Thickness

Dimensions

Service condition

Applicable standard

Heat treatment

Bond requirements

2. Raw Material Inspection

Verify:

Grade

Heat number

Chemistry

Mechanical properties

Surface condition

Dimensions

3. Surface Preparation

Bonding surfaces require controlled preparation and cleaning.

Contaminants can negatively affect bond formation.

4. Plate Assembly

The cladding and base plates are assembled according to the selected bonding process.

5. Bonding

Possible routes include:

Explosion bonding

Roll bonding

Explosion + rolling

6. Heat Treatment

Where required, appropriate heat treatment is selected according to:

Cladding alloy

Base material

Mechanical properties

Design code

Future fabrication requirements

7. Leveling

The composite plate is flattened to meet dimensional requirements.

8. Cutting

Possible methods include:

Plasma cutting

Waterjet cutting

Mechanical cutting

Sawing

Machining

The correct method depends on material combination and final requirements.

9. Surface Treatment

Depending on cladding material:

Grinding

Pickling

Passivation

Polishing

Machining

may be performed.

10. NDT

Ultrasonic inspection is typically one of the most important clad-plate examinations.

11. Mechanical Testing

Tests may include:

Tensile

Shear

Bond bend

Impact testing of the base material

Additional project tests

12. Final Inspection

Check:

Thickness

Dimensions

Flatness

Surface

Bonding

Marking

Documentation

Material Verification

Both the cladding alloy and base material should be traceable.

Inspection can include:

Heat number verification

MTC review

Chemical composition

PMI

Ultrasonic Testing

UT is used to detect areas of incomplete bonding or delamination.

A professional purchase order should specify:

UT Coverage + Acceptance Standard + Maximum Permitted Unbonded Area + Edge Requirements

Writing only:

“UT required”

may not be sufficiently precise.

Shear Strength Testing

Shear testing can be used to assess the mechanical integrity of the bonded interface.

The required test method and acceptance value should follow the applicable product standard or project specification.

Bond Bend Testing

Bond bend testing evaluates the integrity of the composite plate under deformation.

This is especially relevant because clad plate may subsequently undergo:

Rolling

Forming

Head forming

Vessel fabrication

Tensile Testing

Depending on the applicable standard, tensile performance may be evaluated on:

Base metal

Composite plate

Other specified specimen configurations

Impact Testing

Impact testing may be required for the base metal when:

Low-temperature service is involved

Pressure-vessel code requires it

Project specifications require toughness verification

PMI

Positive Material Identification can be used to verify high-alloy cladding materials such as:

316L

904L

Alloy 625

C276

Alloy 825

Titanium

Cladding Thickness Measurement

The actual corrosion-resistant layer thickness should be checked against the order.

Dimensional Inspection

Typical inspections include:

Total thickness

Clad thickness

Width

Length

Flatness

Diagonal tolerance

Edge condition

 

Pressure vessels are one of the most important clad plate applications.

Typical equipment includes:

Reactors

Columns

Separators

Autoclaves

Storage vessels

Process vessels

Scrubbers

The base steel carries most of the pressure load while the cladding surface protects the vessel from the process environment.

Common combinations include:

316L + A516 Gr.70

904L + A516 Gr.70

2205 + A516 Gr.70

Alloy 625 + A516 Gr.70

C276 + A516 Gr.70

Titanium Grade 2 + A516 Gr.70

Zirconium 702 + Pressure Vessel Steel

Clad plate can be used for:

Tubesheets

Channel covers

Shell components

Heads

Dividing plates

Other pressure-retaining components

A common economic strategy is to use corrosion-resistant cladding on the process-contact surface instead of machining a very thick solid-alloy tubesheet.

 

Clad tubesheets are particularly important in:

Shell-and-tube heat exchangers

Condensers

Chemical process equipment

Desalination plants

Offshore equipment

Possible cladding materials include:

Stainless steel

Duplex

Alloy 625

C276

Titanium

Copper alloys

Tube-to-tubesheet welding, machining allowance and minimum remaining clad thickness must be considered when selecting the initial clad thickness.

 

Chemical service is one of the largest reasons to select clad plate.

Important environments can include:

Sulfuric acid

Hydrochloric acid

Phosphoric acid

Acetic acid

Chlorides

Caustic solutions

Chlorine-containing environments

Mixed process chemicals

However, there is no universal “best corrosion-resistant alloy.”

Correct material selection depends on:

Chemical Composition + Concentration + Temperature + Pressure + Impurities + Oxygen Content + Flow Velocity + Design Life

 

Potential applications include:

Separators

Process vessels

Offshore equipment

Scrubbers

Chemical injection systems

Sour-service process equipment

Materials may include:

316L

825

625

C276

Duplex stainless steel

Final material selection must comply with the project's corrosion and mechanical requirements.

 

Marine environments may require resistance to:

Seawater

Chlorides

Splash-zone conditions

High humidity

Possible cladding materials include:

Titanium

Alloy 625

Cu-Ni

Duplex stainless steel

Super duplex stainless steel

 

Material selection in desalination depends on:

Seawater temperature

Chloride concentration

Oxygen

Brine concentration

Process stage

Cleaning chemicals

Titanium and selected nickel alloys are commonly considered for severe seawater-related environments.

 

FGD equipment may experience:

Chlorides

Acidic condensate

Wet/dry cycling

Elevated temperature

High-alloy clad plate may be used for:

Absorbers

Ducts

Process vessels

Internal components

Potential cladding materials include:

904L

Alloy 625

C276

Other high-alloy corrosion-resistant materials

depending on the specific environment.

 

Pulp and paper equipment can contain:

Chlorides

Bleaching chemicals

Corrosive liquor

Elevated temperature

Stainless, duplex, titanium and nickel-alloy clad systems may be considered according to process conditions.

 

Applications can include:

FGD systems

Chemical treatment equipment

Condenser components

Process vessels

Specialized heat exchangers

Typical composite metals include:

Titanium-copper

Titanium-steel

Copper-steel

Applications may include:

Electrodes

Bus systems

Electrolysis equipment

Hydrometallurgy

Cathode systems

 

Service Condition	Candidate Cladding Materials
General industrial corrosion	304L / 316L
Stronger chloride environment	Duplex / Super Duplex
Seawater	Titanium / Alloy 625 / Cu-Ni depending on system
Severe chemical corrosion	C276 / C22
Selected sulfuric acid service	Alloy 20 / C276 / other alloys depending on concentration
Caustic environments	Nickel 200 / 201 depending on conditions
High-temperature oxidation	Alloy 600 / 601 / selected heat-resistant alloys
Chlor-alkali	Titanium / Nickel depending on process area
Severe specialty chemical service	Zirconium / Tantalum where technically justified
Electrical conductivity	Copper clad steel
Marine transition joining	Aluminum-steel / aluminum-titanium-steel

 

Important:
This table is only an initial screening tool. Final alloy selection must be based on actual process conditions.

 

Clad plate is not always the correct solution.

Solid alloy may be preferable when:

Total component thickness is very small

Both sides require full alloy properties

Complex machining removes substantial surface material

Extremely severe corrosion requires a large corrosion allowance

Repeated severe thermal cycling creates interface concerns

Component geometry makes clad fabrication impractical

The equipment is small enough that alloy savings are insignificant

A good supplier should therefore not automatically recommend clad plate for every corrosion-resistant application.

 

 

Clad plate welding must consider two different metallurgical systems.

A typical approach involves:

Base Metal Welding

The structural steel joint is welded according to the applicable welding procedure.

Interface Control

Dilution between carbon steel and corrosion-resistant alloy must be controlled.

Cladding Restoration

The corrosion-resistant surface is restored using suitable filler materials.

Final Inspection

The clad-side weld may require:

Visual inspection

PT

PMI

Other specified examinations

Exact procedures depend on:

Cladding grade

Base material

Thickness

Joint design

PWHT

Construction code

 

PWHT can become one of the most important compatibility issues in clad pressure-vessel construction.

A heat-treatment cycle suitable for the base steel may affect:

Cladding microstructure

Corrosion resistance

Intermetallic formation

Diffusion

Mechanical properties

Interface performance

The interaction between:

Base Metal + Cladding Alloy + Bonding Route + PWHT

must therefore be reviewed before production.

This is particularly important for reactive-metal clad systems.

Clad plate can be processed into:

Vessel shells

Cylinders

Cones

Dished heads

Tubesheets

Structural components

Important variables include:

Cladding ductility

Base-steel strength

Clad/base thickness ratio

Bend radius

Forming temperature

Bond condition

Material orientation

Critical equipment may require UT examination after forming.

 

Clad plate can be:

Drilled

Milled

Turned

Bored

Beveled

Waterjet cut

Mechanically cut

However, the machining procedure should protect the minimum required corrosion-resistant layer.

This is especially important for:

Tubesheets

Flanges

Nozzle components

Sealing surfaces

 

Depending on the cladding material and application, available surface conditions may include:

As bonded

Ground

Pickled

Pickled and passivated

Polished

Machined

Project-specific finish

Surface requirements should be specified in the purchase order.

Depending on the project specification, documentation can include:

Material Test Certificate

Base metal certificate

Cladding material certificate

Chemical composition

Mechanical properties

Heat treatment records

UT report

Bond test report

Tensile test report

PMI report

Dimensional inspection

Surface inspection

Third-party inspection report

Packing list

Material traceability records

For pressure-vessel projects, documentation requirements should be agreed before production.

Third-party inspection can be arranged according to customer or EPC project requirements.

Typical inspection stages may include:

Raw Material Verification

↓

Pre-Bonding Inspection

↓

Bonding

↓

Heat Treatment

↓

UT

↓

Mechanical Testing

↓

Dimension Inspection

↓

Final Document Review

↓

Packing & Shipment

Broad Material Combination Capability

We support clad plate projects involving stainless steel, nickel alloys, titanium, reactive metals, copper alloys and engineered dissimilar-metal combinations.

Engineering-Oriented RFQ Review

We review the complete material system:

Cladding + Base Material + Thickness + Bonding Method + Heat Treatment + Fabrication + Inspection

rather than quoting only by alloy grade.

Custom Clad Structures

Available project configurations can include:

Single-side clad

Double-side clad

Three-layer clad

Multilayer clad

Transition plate

Custom dissimilar-metal structures

subject to manufacturing feasibility.

Pressure Vessel Material Support

We can work with carbon and low-alloy pressure-vessel base plates combined with suitable corrosion-resistant cladding alloys.

Quality Control

Inspection requirements can include:

Raw material verification

PMI

UT

Bond testing

Mechanical testing

Dimensional inspection

Surface inspection

Processing Services

Depending on the product, services can include:

Cutting

Leveling

Edge preparation

Grinding

Machining

Surface treatment

Custom fabrication preparation

Third-Party Inspection

Independent inspection can be incorporated into the project quality plan.

Export Packing

Clad plates can be protected according to product size, cladding surface and international transportation requirements.

 

For accurate quotation, please provide the following information.

1. Cladding Material

Example:

Alloy 625 / UNS N06625

2. Cladding Material Standard

Example:

ASTM B443

3. Base Material

Example:

ASTM A516 Grade 70

4. Clad Plate Standard

Example:

ASTM A265

5. Thickness Construction

Example:

3 + 22 mm

meaning:

3 mm Alloy 625 + 22 mm A516 Gr.70

6. Plate Size

Example:

2000 × 6000 mm

7. Quantity

Pieces or total weight.

8. Bonding Method

Explosion bonded / roll bonded / project-specified.

9. Heat Treatment

State project requirements where applicable.

10. NDT

For example:

100% UT

together with the required acceptance criteria.

11. Mechanical Testing

Specify shear, bond bend, tensile, impact or additional tests.

12. Surface Requirement

Ground / pickled / polished / machined / other.

13. Application

For example:

Chemical Reactor

14. Service Conditions

If material selection support is needed, provide:

Process Medium + Concentration + Temperature + Pressure

15. Destination

Country or port for export planning.

Product: 316L Stainless Steel Clad Plate
Cladding: ASTM A240 316L
Base: ASTM A516 Grade 70
Construction: 3 + 20 mm
Clad Standard: ASTM A264
Size: 2500 × 8000 mm
Quantity: 20 plates
Application: Pressure Vessel
Inspection: 100% UT + Mechanical Testing

 

Product: C276 Clad Steel Plate
Cladding: UNS N10276 / ASTM B575
Base: ASTM A516 Grade 70
Construction: 3 + 25 mm
Clad Standard: ASTM A265
Bonding: Explosion Bonded
Size: 2000 × 6000 mm
Application: Chemical Reactor

Product: Titanium Grade 2 Clad Steel Plate
Cladding: ASTM B265 Grade 2
Base: ASTM A516 Grade 70
Construction: 2 + 18 mm
Clad Standard: ASTM B898
Application: Seawater Process Equipment
Inspection: 100% UT + Project Mechanical Testing

 

1. What is clad plate?

Clad plate is a composite metal plate consisting of two or more metals metallurgically bonded together. One layer usually provides corrosion resistance or another functional property, while the base plate provides structural strength.

2. What clad plate materials are available?

Major categories include stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, nickel, nickel alloys, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, copper, copper alloys and engineered transition-metal combinations.

3. What is explosion bonded clad plate?

Explosion bonded clad plate is produced using controlled high-velocity impact generated by explosive energy to create a metallurgical bond between dissimilar metals.

4. What is roll bonded clad plate?

Roll bonded plate is produced by applying high rolling pressure, generally together with controlled temperature, to create metallurgical bonding between compatible metal layers.

5. Is clad plate cheaper than solid alloy plate?

For many large pressure vessels and process-equipment applications, clad construction can substantially reduce expensive alloy consumption. The actual economic advantage depends on alloy price, cladding thickness, base thickness, fabrication and inspection requirements.

6. What is the difference between ASTM A263, A264 and A265?

ASTM A263 applies to stainless chromium steel clad plate, ASTM A264 covers stainless chromium-nickel steel clad plate, and ASTM A265 covers nickel and nickel-base alloy clad steel plate.

7. Which standard applies to titanium clad plate?

ASTM B898 is an important clad-plate specification covering titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium and their alloys bonded to a base metal.

8. Can stainless steel be bonded to carbon steel?

Yes. Stainless-steel-clad carbon or low-alloy steel is one of the most widely used clad plate systems.

9. Can titanium be bonded to carbon steel?

Yes, but the manufacturing route, possible intermediate layer, heat treatment and service requirements must be evaluated carefully.

10. Can nickel alloy be clad onto A516 Grade 70?

Yes, many pressure-vessel clad systems use A516 Grade 70 as the structural base with a nickel or nickel-alloy corrosion-resistant layer, subject to the applicable specification and project engineering requirements.

11. How is the bond inspected?

Ultrasonic testing is one of the most important inspection methods. Mechanical testing such as shear or bond bend tests may also be required.

12. Can you supply 100% UT tested clad plate?

Full UT coverage can be specified where required. The purchaser should also define the applicable inspection method and acceptance criteria.

13. Can clad plate be formed into pressure vessel shells?

Yes. Properly specified clad plate can be rolled and formed into shells, heads and other vessel components. Bond integrity and forming parameters must be controlled.

14. Can clad plate be welded?

Yes. Welding procedures must account for both the structural base metal and the corrosion-resistant clad layer.

15. Is clad plate the same as weld overlay?

No. Clad plate uses a pre-existing metal layer metallurgically bonded over a large area, whereas weld overlay deposits corrosion-resistant alloy through welding.

16. What is double-sided clad plate?

Double-sided clad plate has functional metal layers bonded to both surfaces of the base plate.

17. What is three-layer clad plate?

Three-layer clad plate uses an intermediate metal between the functional cladding and structural base, often to improve metallurgical compatibility.

18. Can you produce custom material combinations?

Custom combinations can be evaluated based on metallurgical compatibility, dimensions, bonding method, heat treatment and project requirements.

19. How do I select between 316L, 625, C276 and titanium?

Selection depends on process chemistry, concentration, temperature, chloride level, contaminants, pressure and expected service life. Alloy grade should not be selected from corrosion reputation alone.

20. How thick should the cladding layer be?

Cladding thickness depends on corrosion allowance, fabrication loss, service life, forming, welding and equipment design. More cladding is not automatically better because premium alloy cost increases rapidly.

 

A successful clad plate project begins with more than an alloy name.

The correct sequence is:

Service Environment

→

Corrosion / Functional Requirement

→

Cladding Material

→

Base Plate

→

Cladding Thickness

→

Base Thickness

→

Bonding Method

→

Heat Treatment Compatibility

→

Forming & Welding

→

Inspection & Testing

→

Final Equipment Fabrication

Dongmeng Group can support clad plate projects for:

Chemical Processing | Pressure Vessels | Petrochemical | Oil & Gas | Offshore | Marine | Desalination | Heat Exchangers | Power Generation | Pulp & Paper | Electrochemical Equipment | Industrial Fabrication

Send us your project specification, material combination or equipment operating conditions for technical review and quotation.

 

Phone: +86 157 6921 4734
WhatsApp: +86 157 6921 4734
Email: office@dongmjd.com

Office Address:
Room 4107, Runfeng Building, Sanqiao New Street, Weiyang District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province

Request a Clad Plate Quote

Please send:

Cladding Material + Base Material + Clad/Base Thickness + Plate Size + Standard + Quantity + Application + Inspection Requirements

If you do not yet have a complete specification, send us:

Process Medium + Concentration + Temperature + Pressure + Equipment Type

and the material combination can be reviewed before quotation.

 

Xi'an Dongmeng Group Co., Ltd. is one of the leading clad plate manufacturers and suppliers in China. We warmly welcome you to buy or wholesale cheap clad plate in stock here from our factory. All customized products are with high quality and competitive price. For free sample, contact us now.