Method of manufacturing clad metal plates

Abstract

A method of manufacturing clad metal plate products by assembling in a stacked array a bottom base plate, a first cladding plate, a second cladding plate and a top base plate, with a separator compound layer between the first and second cladding plates. The peripheral dimensions of the cladding plates being less than the peripheral dimensions of the base plates. A metal rail is welded between the base plates and circumferentially of the cladding plates to form an assembly having a closed environment encompassing the cladding plates. Substantially all water and oxygen are removed from the closed environment. The assembly is then heated to an initial temperature of at least about 1850.degree. F. and, while heated, is rolled or hydraulically pressed to cause the first cladding plate to bond to the bottom base plate and the second cladding plate to bond to the top base plate. Separating the assembly at the separator compound layer provides a first and a second clad plate. In the preferred application of the method, a cladding activator is electrolessly deposited onto the surface of each of the cladding plates that contact a base plate to incorporate liquid interface diffusion bonding of the cladding plates to the base plates.