Clad Combination Columns

Roben, Mfg., Inc. specializes in the custom engineering and fabrication of clad combinations for chemical, fine chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, defense, and power-generation industries. Every project is designed to ASME Section VIII Division 1 (with optional Division 2), is National Board registered, complies with the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED 2014/68/EU) for CE marking, and is registered under the Canadian Registration Number (CRN) system for all Canadian provinces.

What Clad Combinations Are

Clad construction is a metallurgical bonding of a thin corrosion-resistant alloy (the cladding) to a structural carbon steel or low-alloy steel backing. Cladding methods include roll bonding, explosion bonding, and weld overlay. Common clad combinations include stainless-clad steel, Inconel-clad steel, Hastelloy-clad steel, titanium-clad steel, and zirconium-clad steel.

Why Clad Combinations Matter

Clad construction delivers the corrosion resistance of an exotic alloy at a fraction of the cost of a solid-alloy vessel. Carbon steel provides the structural strength; the thin cladding (typically 1/8 in. to 1/2 in.) handles the process-side corrosion. Clad columns are common in chemical, petrochemical, refining, and chemical-process service.

Clad Combinations — Specifications and Capabilities

Cladding alloys: 304/304L, 316/316L, Inconel 625, Hastelloy C-276, Monel 400, titanium, zirconium

Backing materials: SA-516 Gr 70, SA-387 Gr 11/22, low-alloy steels

Cladding methods: Roll-bonded, explosively bonded, weld overlay

ASME VIII Div. 1: Per UCL (clad construction) and UHA appendix as applicable

Inspection: UT for bond integrity, RT/UT of welds

Certifications and Codes

ASME Section VIII Division 1 — U-stamp

ASME Section VIII Division 2 — available on request

National Board registration — R-stamp

PED 2014/68/EU — CE marking with Notified Body coordination

CRN — registered for all Canadian provinces

NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 — sour-service compliance

AWS D1.1 / ASME Section IX — qualified welding procedures and welders

Frequently Asked Questions About Clad Combinations

What is the cost advantage of clad construction?

A clad vessel typically costs 30–60% of a solid-alloy vessel for the same corrosion resistance. Savings increase as alloy price increases (greatest savings on titanium, zirconium, Hastelloy).

What is the difference between roll-bonded and explosion-bonded cladding?

Roll bonding combines the alloy and the backing in the rolling mill at high temperature, creating a metallurgical bond. Explosion bonding uses an explosive charge to slam the cladding onto the backing, also creating a metallurgical bond. Both meet ASME UCL requirements.

What is weld-overlay cladding?

Weld overlay deposits the cladding alloy onto the backing using welding processes (SAW strip, GTAW, GMAW). It is used where a fully clad plate is not available or where local cladding is preferred (nozzle bores, repairs).

How is the cladding bond verified during fabrication?

Ultrasonic testing per ASME SA-578 (for plate) and SA-264 (for clad plate) verifies bond integrity. Spot UT or 100% UT is performed depending on the service criticality.

Can Roben Mfg. fabricate clad columns to ASME VIII Div. 1?

Yes. We routinely fabricate clad columns and pressure vessels with U-stamp, National Board registration, PED, and CRN. UCL (Part UCL of Div. 1) governs the design and fabrication.

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Contact Roben Mfg., Inc. to discuss your project specifications, timeline, and material requirements.

📞 (732) 364-6000 ✉ sales@robenmfg.com 📍 760 Vassar Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701

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Clad Combination Column Fabrication