What Is a Zirconium Steel Clad Plate?

What Is a Zirconium Steel Clad Plate?
Zirconium Steel Clad Plate refers to a metallurgically bonded composite plate made by bonding zirconium (as the corrosion-resistant cladding material) to a steel base plate (typically carbon steel or stainless steel). This fusion is generally achieved through advanced processes like explosion bonding or hot rolling, ensuring strong adhesion and joint integrity.

 Why Use Zirconium as a Cladding Layer?
Zirconium is renowned for its:

Exceptional resistance to strong acids such as hydrochloric and sulfuric acid

Low reactivity in extreme environments

Excellent mechanical properties and long service life

Biocompatibility (for pharmaceutical and medical applications)

Cladding it onto a steel substrate not only reduces material costs but also delivers the necessary structural strength and welding convenience of steel, while maintaining zirconium’s corrosion-proof advantages.

How Is Zirconium Steel Clad Plate Manufactured?
The manufacturing process of zirconium steel clad plate typically involves one of the following metallurgical bonding methods:

1: Explosion Bonding
Explosion bonding is a solid-state welding process where controlled explosive energy is used to bond zirconium to steel. This method avoids intermetallic formation, ensuring:

Strong metallurgical bond

Minimal alteration of base and clad material properties

Large plate dimensions achievable

2: Hot Roll Cladding
In this method, zirconium and steel are assembled under high temperature and pressure to form a permanent bond. While more equipment-intensive, it allows:

Thinner cladding layers

Smoother surfaces

Enhanced mechanical homogeneity

3: Quality Testing and Standards
After cladding, plates are subjected to:

Ultrasonic testing

Shear strength testing

Corrosion resistance verification

Surface integrity examination

Compliance with ASTM B898, ASTM B551, ASME SB-898, and related industry specifications ensures product quality and safety.

Industrial Applications of Zirconium Steel Clad Plate
Zirconium steel clad plates are widely adopted in industries where conventional materials fail due to aggressive chemical exposure or high temperatures. Below are key industries and application scenarios:

1: Chemical Processing Industry
In acid plants, dye production, and fertilizer manufacturing, equipment like:

Reactors

Heat exchangers

Absorption towers

Condensers

requires materials that resist corrosion from nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid. Zirconium steel clad plate excels in this domain, offering prolonged equipment life.

2: Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemical Industry
Zirconium’s biocompatibility and non-reactivity make it ideal for pharmaceutical vessels and purification equipment. Steel backing ensures:

Mechanical stability

Easy fabrication

Lower costs compared to solid zirconium

1: Nuclear Energy Sector
Zirconium alloys have long been used in nuclear reactors due to their low neutron absorption. In clad plate form, they are used in containment vessels, shielding structures, and cooling systems.

2: Pulp & Paper Industry
Bleaching plants and acid treatment facilities in paper production use zirconium steel clad plates in digesters, piping, and tanks to combat corrosion from chlorine dioxide and sulfur compounds.

Benefits of Using Zirconium Steel Clad Plate
Incorporating zirconium steel clad plate in industrial equipment offers several advantages:

1: Cost Efficiency
Solid zirconium is extremely expensive. Cladding it onto a steel substrate retains its surface properties while slashing raw material costs by 70–80%.

2: Exceptional Corrosion Resistance
Even in highly acidic, oxidizing, and high-temperature environments, zirconium provides unmatched chemical resistance, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

3: Strong Structural Integrity
The steel backing provides excellent load-bearing capacity, impact resistance, and weldability, making it easy to fabricate into vessels and structures.

4: Enhanced Safety and Durability
With less material degradation, plants can operate more safely and efficiently. The lifespan of equipment made with zirconium steel clad plate can be double or triple that of conventional stainless steel alternatives.

Technical Specifications of Zirconium Steel Clad Plate
To meet different design and application requirements, zirconium steel clad plates are available in a variety of configurations.

Parameter    Range
Clad Thickness：    1 mm – 10 mm
Base Thickness：5 mm – 100 mm
Plate Size：Custom up to 3000 mm width
Bonding Strength：≥ 130 MPa (Explosion Bonded)
Cladding Grade：Zr702, Zr705
Base Material：SA516 Gr.70, 304/316L SS, Q345R

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1: Why not use solid zirconium instead of clad plate?
While solid zirconium is corrosion-resistant, it's expensive and difficult to weld or fabricate in large structures. Zirconium steel clad plate reduces cost while maintaining performance.

2: How long can zirconium steel clad plate last?
Depending on the environment, they can last 10–30 years with minimal maintenance, far outlasting most stainless steel or titanium equipment in harsh chemical settings.

3: Is the bonding between zirconium and steel reliable?
Yes. Explosion and roll bonding methods ensure high bond strength and zero delamination under industrial stress conditions, verified by ultrasonic and shear tests.

Choosing the Right Zirconium Clad Plate Manufacturer
When sourcing zirconium steel clad plate, it's vital to select a partner with:

Proven metallurgical bonding capabilities

Strict QA/QC systems

Experience in customized pressure vessel production

Compliance with ASME, ASTM, PED, and other global standards

Zirconium Steel Clad Plate as the Future of Corrosion-Resistant Engineering
In a world where industrial systems are expected to be safer, longer-lasting, and cost-effective, Zirconium Steel Clad Plate is becoming the material of choice. It brings together the best of both worlds — the unbeatable corrosion resistance of zirconium and the mechanical and economic advantages of steel.

Whether you're engineering a chemical reactor, nuclear containment tank, or pharmaceutical equipment, investing in zirconium steel clad plate ensures performance, longevity, and peace of mind.

Contact Us
Looking for a trusted supplier of Zirconium Steel Clad Plates?

Baoji City ShenAo Metal Materials Co., Ltd. specializes in manufacturing zirconium, titanium, and other reactive metal clad plates using advanced bonding technologies. Our products are widely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, nuclear, and metallurgical industries worldwide.

Email: zh@baojiti.com.cn
Website: www.shenaocladplate.com
Address: Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, China