Effect of interfacial bonding strength on tensile ductility of multilayered steel composites

The effect of the bonding strength of the laminate interface on ductility in the tensile deformation of multilayered steel composites was investigated. Multilayered steel composites consisting of alternating layers of as-quenched martensitic and austenitic steels were prepared with various bonding strengths, ranging from weak bonding obtained by alpha-cyanoacrylate adhesive to strong bonding obtained by cold rolling with a subsequent heat treatment. Tensile tests and peel tests were conducted to investigate the relationship between tensile behavior and bonding strength at the interface. It was demonstrated that tensile ductility could be markedly enhanced as the bonding strength increased, and that three types of tensile fracture behavior were identified depending on the bonding strength of the interface. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.