Rolling technologies and equipment for metal laminated composite plates with large thickness ratios

With the escalating demands for advanced material performance in critical industries such as aerospace and energy equipment, metal laminated composite plates have garnered significant research and industrial attention due to their advantageous properties, including low density, high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and effective electromagnetic shielding. These composites enable the synergistic integration of structural and functional attributes from individual metallic components, marking a pivotal developmental direction in the transition from conventional monolithic metals to high-performance metal composite materials. Their application spans a wide range of high-tech sectors within the national economy, including power and electrical systems, transportation, marine engineering, construction, as well as cutting-edge domains in national defense and military technology. Nevertheless, the fabrication of large thickness ratio metal laminated composite plates presents considerable technical challenges, such as restricted interfacial diffusion, inadequate structural compatibility, insufficient interfacial bonding strength, and susceptibility to plate warping. To address these issues, this report proposes a multi-scale microstructural regulation strategy based on a differential temperature field approach. By introducing interfacial strain concentration along the thickness direction and promoting the formation of a through-thickness heterogeneous microstructure within the magnesium matrix, a synergistic enhancement of bonding strength and tensile performance is achieved. The study systematically investigates the deformation mechanisms during differential temperature rolling, the evolution of multi-scale heterogeneous microstructures, and their associated strengthening and toughening mechanisms. Based on these findings, an engineering-compatible processing route has been established. Utilizing a high-precision temperature control platform, a representative magnesium/titanium composite plate with dimensions of 1300 mm × 400 mm × 10 mm was successfully fabricated, laying a solid theoretical and technical foundation for the high-quality manufacturing of thick-section heterogeneous light metal composite materials.

Dr. Han Jianchao is a professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology. His research focuses on rolling technologies and intelligent equipment for metal composite plates, and multi-energy field forming of difficult-to-deform alloys. He has published over 30 papers as first or corresponding author in leading journals including the Journal of Materials Science & Technology, Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, and Journal of Manufacturing Processes. He is currently Director of the Hai’an–Taiyuan University of Technology Advanced Manufacturing and Intelligent Equipment Industry Research Institute.