For decades, naval architects faced complex decisions when designing maritime vessels under defined structural design for different metals, weight, and corrosion-resistant priorities all within budget. To balance these priorities, shipbuilders often joined dissimilar metals with mechanical fasteners, which accelerated topside and splash zone corrosion in crevices.

Innovation at Work: Explosion Welding & TriClad®

Understanding these challenges, NobelClad developed and patented the DetaClad™ explosion welding in 1962. The precise, ‘solid-state’ welding technology uses explosive detonation to metallurgically join dissimilar metals, while retaining the mechanical, chemical and electrical properties of both metals.

NobelClad further pioneered explosion welding and developed aluminum-to-steel clad strips, known today as TriClad® structural transition joints. TriClad® offered shipbuilders an alternative to corrosion-prone mechanical fasteners: metallurgically welded, crevice-free, aluminum-steel transition joints that could withstand harsh environments.

After extensive testing, TriClad structural transition joints gained the right approvals and the aluminum-steel clad strips quickly began replacing mechanical fasteners in shipyards across the world. The world’s best superyachts built after 1970 contain TriClad® structural transition joints, as do thousands of today’s naval vessels and commercial shipbuilding applications.

Choosing an Experienced, Proven Partner Matters

Because  superyachts  operate  in  highly  corrosive environments, equipment failure can mean out of operation, harm to the environment and significant financial loss. By choosing a trusted clad expert to guide them throughout the process—from specification and testing to delivery and maintenance support— naval architects, who still face complex decisions, avoid these pitfalls.

With decades of  experience,  NobelClad  is  the  proven  leader in explosion welding and offers the widest collection of customizable clad metal products in the world—and more than
products, we are solutions partners. Our history and reputation for quality and integrity are why naval architects continue to rely on our TriClad structural transition joints to:

• Join aluminum superstructures to steel decks
• Join aluminum decks or bulkheads to steel hulls
• Fit components, such as pillars or walls, between steel or stainless steel and aluminum
• Fit steel components, such as engine mounts, to aluminum hulls

Learn More

If your team is new to learning about TriClad, we would be happy to host a free introductory seminar on TriClad for Ship Building. Fill out this form – and a NobelClad expert will contact you soon to schedule your 45-minute webinar.