A novel laminated metal composite with superior interfacial bonding composed of ultrahigh-strength maraging steel and 316L stainless steel

A 5-layer laminated metal composite composed of ultrahigh-strength maraging steel and ductile 316L stainless steel was fabricated by hot pressing in vacuum and post-heat treatment. Microstructure characterization on hierarchical structure of the composite before and after heat treatment was made by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron back-scattered diffraction technique, respectively. Meanwhile, the difference of mechanical performance on both sides of the interface was characterized by nano-hardness testing. Uniaxial tensile test showed that superior interfacial bonding was achieved due to the micro-‘bite’ structure between the two steels without obvious defects or oxides at the interface and with coordinated deformation of the two components. Thus, a laminated metal composite consisting of two different constituents with extreme difference in strength can be well fabricated.