Abstract: A sealable multimetallic sleeve for a rapid repair of a degraded tube caused by a detrimental chemical attack on the outside surface of the tube within and in a vicinity of a tube sheet in a steam generator, and the method for sealably inserting the sleeve in the degraded tube spanning the region of the degradation. The sleeve includes an inner member with equivalent mechanical properties of the degraded tube and an outer member metallurgically bonded to the inner member and resistive to caustic intergranular chemical attack causing tube degradation. The sleeve has an expanded portion at one end for positioning in the tube within the tube sheet and a multiplicity of grooves in and adjacent to the other end of the sleeve and braze material contained in the grooves.

Abstract: Form-locking means and process for joining same to a subcaliber projectile in a peripheral region thereof. The form-locking means consists of a material in the form of a n-phase sintered alloy having a high content of at least one heavy metal, wherein n.gtoreq.2. The material forming the form locking means in the peripheral region of the subcaliber projectile form at least one further alloy phase. The form-locking means includes interlocking lands and grooves, and are joined to the periphery of the subcaliber projectile in the form of a layer of predetermined thickness which can be joined to the projectile surface by means of explosion welding.

Abstract: Shock wave formation of thin layers of materials with improved superconducting and permanent magnetic properties and improved microstructures.

Abstract: The invention is a tool and process to be used in explosive joining of tubes. The tool consists of an initiator 81, a tool form 82 and a ribbon explosive 25. The assembled tool 80 is a compact, storable and safe device suitable for explosive joining of small, lightweight tubes down to 0.20 inch in diameter. The invention is inserted into a tube 51 to be welded which tube has itself been inserted into either another tube 52 or a tube plate. A shim or standoff between the two surfaces to be welded is necessary. Initiation of the explosive inside the tube results in a high velocity, angular collision between the mating surfaces. This collision creates surface melts and collision bonding wherein electron-sharing linkups are formed.

Abstract: A coated substrate manufactured by applying a layer of a material to the substrate and generating thermal and pressure waves in the layer by exposing the layer to high intensity, short duration laser radiation, and the process of manufacturing such a coated substrate. The laser radiation is applied in an intensity range that creates an instantaneous surface vaporization of the layer material that in turn drives a pressure wave into the layer. The pressure wave interacts with the layer-substrate interface to create bonding between them of varying strengths and qualities depending on the intensity and duration of the initial laser pulse. A thermal wave is created in some regimes of operation, or results from compressional heating of the layer by the pressure wave, and is of sufficient energy to contribute to the bonding at the interface.

Abstract: Sealing and cracking problems occur when joining coarse-caliber pipes (1 and 2) for oil or gas, for instance, by means of welding. The problem is solved by using an outer peripheral part (3) and an inner peripheral part (4) at the joint, and applying the latter part (4) by means of explosive welding. At the same time, the outer peripheral part (3) forms a firm joint, due to the action of the explosive welding.

Abstract: Explosion welding is used for splicing thick pipes (1 and 2) or the transport of oil and gas. A plating ring (4) and its explosive (7) are located inside the pipes, and a support (12 and 13) surrounding the two pipes (1 and 2) in order to limit the deformation occurring in the pipes (1 and 2) during the actual welding process. Since the pipes (1 and 2) are deformed, the support (12 and 13) will also be deformed. To enable repeated used of the support (12 and 13), the section (20) thereof which is subjected to the deformation is replaced by an elastomeric material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for expanding a pipe at a predetermined location therealong by positioning a conductive wire at the required location and rapidly discharging a known electrical charge through the wire to explode, thereby initiating a shock wave of known energy which expands the pipe plastically by a controlled amount. As applied to the repair of a pipe at a normally inaccessible location, a plastically deformable metallic sleeve capable of being cold welded to the pipe is positioned at the required location, and a conductive wire is exploded electromagnetically within the sleeve to expand the sleeve into cold welding relation with the pipe.

Abstract: A method is described for joining an inner metal pipe with an outer surrounding metal tubular portion by means of explosive welding in which a contact anvil is placed inside the inner pipe to support it during welding. With the anvil in place, the pipes are subjected to explosive welding such that the outer surface of the inner pipe is joined metallurgically to the inner surface of the outer tubular portion. According to the novel feature, the anvil is made from hydrated aluminum sulphate, preferably a water soluble commercial alum, which not only disintegrates during welding but is also water soluble.

Abstract: An electrically conductive path through an insulating plate (10) is produced by forcing sheets of conductive material (13, 14) into contact through a hole (11) in the plate (10). The sheets (13, 14) are forced together with sufficient force to produce a cold weld junction, which is then plated with a conductive metal (102). Dies for producing the cold weld utilize metallic spheres (110), rods (188) or chemically etched projections (228). Shaped dies (268, 272) form a crimped joint without a cold weld, and offset dies (246, 250) produce a raised junction (252) for use as a mount for a planar component. In manufacturing a printed circuit board (160) the cold weld die (158) is produced with the same drill hole pattern as used to form the drill holes in the printed circuit board (160).A force sufficient to cause metalurgical bonding of the opposed conductors may also be applied by an explosive discharge. A hole in the junction area of the opposed conductors may be created or enlarged by the use of a laser beam.

Abstract: A titanium clad steel plate is formed by conversion rolling an explosively bonded composite which includes intermediate layer selected from tantalum or niobium in alloyed or unalloyed form. The process is particularly characterized by the inclusion of a second intermediate layer of cooper or nickel between the steel and the first intermediate layer. After explosion bonding of this four layered composite, the same may be preheated to for 1 hour at, e.g., 830.degree. C. before hot rolling to a thickness of one fifth that of the composite.

Abstract: A welding fixture for locating a driver sleeve about the open end of a nuclear fuel pin cladding. The welding fixture includes a holder provided with an open cavity having shoulders for properly positioning the driver sleeve, the end cap, and a soft, high temperature resistant plastic protective sleeve that surrounds a portion of the end cap stem. Ejected contaminant particles spewed forth by closure of the cladding by pulsed magnetic welding techniques are captured within a contamination trap formed in the holder for ultimate removal and disposal of contaminating particles along with the holder.

Abstract: An explosive activated assembly for repairing a heat exchange tube in which a grooved metal casing is inserted into the tube to be repaired and has a plurality of projections extending from the outer surface thereof. A force-transmitting member extends within a bore formed in the casing and contains an explosive member so that, upon detonation of the explosive member, the force-transmitting member and the casing are expanded radially outwardly to drive the projections against the tube. A booster is located within the casing and adjacent the charge and is activated by a transfer cord connected to an externally located detonator. The casing is formed with an extension that extends over a portion of the transfer cord and has a hole through which the cord extends to contain the debris and vapor caused by the explosion.

Abstract: A patch unit apparatus and method for expeditiously closing openings in metal walls by explosive welding. The patch unit comprises a metal plate having on one side an explosive charge located near the plate perimeter, and having on the opposite side a continuous double angled recess surface. After cleaning the wall surface, the patch unit is placed centrally over an opening to be closed and initially secured to the wall by an adhesive material provided on the plate side opposite from the explosive. If necessary, a mechanical type seal can also be used for improved sealing of the patch unit to the wall. The explosive charge is then detonated to explosively force the patch plate unit against the wall at high velocity, so as to weld the plate onto the metal wall to permanently close the opening, and thereby provide substantially the original strength to the metal wall.

Abstract: In a method of repairing a defective tube in a tube-in-shell heat exchanger by inserting a tubular repair sleeve within the defective tube and sealingly bonding one end region of the sleeve to the tube and the other end region of the sleeve to the tube sheet in a manner such that the defect (for example a defective tube/tube sheet weld) is bridged, the improvement of providing a support against which the said one end of the sleeve can be explosively welded to the tube. The support comprises a mass of low melting point alloy cast around the tubes so as to provide support at the welding level for the defective tube as well as surrounding tubes. The support is removed after welding by remelting the alloy and causing the liquid alloy to run away. Inserts of high melting point metal can be included in the mass as reinforcement, and the casting can be effected in a removable box of which the tube sheet forms the base, the walls surrounding at least a part of the tube array which includes the defective tube.

Abstract: A system and method for thickening the end of a pipe or rod for receiving tapered threads is disclosed. A metal sleeve is metallurgically bonded to the outer surface of the end portion of a well pipe by a high-energy impact of the sleeve colliding radially inward against the end of the well pipe. The impact is produced by the detonation of an explosive charge propagating uniformly around the sleeve. A castable metal having a substantially lower melting temperature than the melting temperature of the pipe is deposited within the pipe and is permitted to solidify in situ to form a core for absorbing the high-energy impact of the collision and for limiting the radial contraction of the pipe in order to preserve its inside diameter. A thread is machined along a tapered path which penetrates the metallurgically bonded interface of the sleeve and pipe.

Abstract: A condenser comprising a condenser shell, a plurality of titanium tubes and a titanium tube plate, wherein the condenser shell at the junction with the tube plate is explosion plated with titanium and a water-tight weld is provided between the titanium plating and the tube plate.

Abstract: When joining together pipes the pipe ends are usually placed opposite each other and then welded together. This cannot be done with heavy pipes. A gap exists between the ends (3 and 4) to be joined. The invention provides a joint by producing a splicing tube (5) the length of the gap and joining this by means of explosive welding. The invention is also applicable for mending a defect (2) in a pipe (1) by the removal of a sufficiently large section of the pipe (1) to allow the splicing tube (5) to fit into the space obtained, the part removed containing the defect (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a pad eye to an underwater ship includes explosives connected to the wings of the pad eye to explosively weld it to the hull of the ship. A water-tight housing holds the pad eye and allows gas to be introduced to drive away all water. Magnets hold the housing to the hull before detonation, a window in the top of the housing allows the diver to observe the entrance of the gas.

Abstract: A number of metal cores especially suitable for use in an electrical induction device such as a transformer are disclosed herein along with respective methods of making these cores. In accordance with each of these methods, the appropriate metal material is initially provided and thereafter formed into an unsolidified, preliminary shape. Thereafter, while the material is in its preliminary shape, it is densified, preferably by means of explosion bonding, whereby to improve its permeability and saturation field characteristics. In one embodiment, a metal material is initially provided as a continuous strip. In another embodiment, the metal material is initially provided as a number of plates and still in another, preferred embodiment, amorphous metal particulate material is utilized. In this latter embodiment, the orientation of the particulate material is controlled to further improve the permeability and saturation field characteristics of the ultimately formed core.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite tube having an inner thin liner or layer of expensive material surrounded by a thick layer of less expensive material has been provided. A thin-walled tube of the expensive material is placed inside a thin-walled tube of a less expensive material and the outer tube is imploded by explosives to be metallurgically bonded to the inner tube. The composite billet thus formed is then placed within a third tube of any desired wall thickness which is of the same or similar material as the second tube. This composite is then co-extruded causing the like materials of the outer most tubes to be metallurgically bonded to each other. By this method, the relative ratios of the expensive and common materials can be selected as required by the particular use to be made of the billet and the diameters thereof can similarly be optimumly selected.

Abstract: A method of sealing leaking steam generator tubes without substantially restricting the fluid flow area by explosively welding a cylindrical sleeve over the degraded area of the tube. The sleeve has a wall thickness of approximately 0.010 to 0.040 inches and a length of about 1.5 to 4.0 inches, the weld occurs over the entire length of the sleeve.

Abstract: A system for impact welding using an electrical coil producing a magnetic field of sufficiently high-intensity to impel a ballistic workpiece into a separate stationary workpiece for producing a weld therein. The pressure on the ballistic workpiece resulting from the magnetic repulsion between the ballistic workpiece and the coil results in the ballistic workpiece being propelled towards the stationary workpiece at sufficient velocity to form a weld. Parameters are provided for varying the voltage and inductance of the capacitor bank for particular driving coil and ballistic workpiece dimensions to obtain matching of the impedances of the capacitor and coil arrangement to the particular ballistic workpiece. The impedance matching maximizes the conversion of electrical energy in the bank to kinetic energy of the workpiece.

Abstract: A system and method using magnetic pressure to propel a ballistic workpiece onto a stationary workpiece at sufficient velocity to produce a weld. Electrical power capacitors are connected to an electromagnetic coil which is positioned adjacent a ballistic workpiece which is propelled by pressures of magnetic force between the ballistic workpiece and the coil onto the adjacent stationary workpiece at sufficient velocity to form a weld.

Abstract: The invention shows a method of joining metal elements by means of explosion welding, the edges of the metal element being bent up or otherwise provided with flanges. Since the charge(s) act primarily on the flanges in a direction other than the longitudinal direction of the metal elements, deformation of the metal elements is avoided or reduced. Due to its simplicity the joint is easily reproducible and is particularly suited for work under water.

Abstract: A joint is provided which permits clad members to be welded together and later used in a corrosive environment without subsequent degradation of the base or cladding materials. The use of an intermediate metallic layer prevents the close proximity of galvanically incompatible materials in brackish or saline environments.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a compound plate by explosion-welding, the compound plate being intended for package-rolling. The plating material is smaller in area than the base material so that an edge is formed around the periphery of the base material, this free edge surface being protected by the attachment of metal strips, after which an explosive charge, the area of which is at least as great as that of the base material, is placed on top of the plating material and detonated.

Abstract: Connecting of a steel tube grid to a thin aluminum sheet to form a solar collector plate is carried out by explosive bonding to ensure a high thermal conductivity between sheet and tubes. Herein the sheet is prepressed in a pattern of channels of substantially semicircular cross section conforming to the shape of the tube grid. A heavy supporting plate is provided, in its flat surface, with a similar pattern of channels, but in mirror symmetry; the tubes of the grid are completely filled with water and the grid is laid into the channels of the supporting plate. Then the grid is covered by the sheet, with the channels covering the tubes and the flat sheet portions in contact with the surface of the supporting plate. Explosive charges in ribbon shape are laid onto the sheet along the apices of all channels on their outside, and the charges are detonated, whereafter the joined grid and sheet are removed from the plate.

Abstract: A method of providing a wear-resistant layer on the inner bore faces of the housing of a dual-worm extruder having two longitudinally communicating parallel bores for accommodating extruder worms therein. According to the method, a relatively soft sheet metal blank and a relatively hard, wear-resistant sheet metal blank are metallurgically bonded to one another in a face-to-face relationship, then the thus obtained "sandwich" is deformed into two longitudinally open tubular blanks, with the relatively soft sheet metal blank forming the outer, convex side of each tubular blank. Thereafter, the tubular blanks are welded to one another along respective longitudinal edges thereof for obtaining a composite body having a cross-sectional outline of a FIG. 8, generally corresponding to, but being smaller than the cross-sectional outline of the bores.

Abstract: First and second underwater tubular members are assembled together so that the outer surface of the first tubular member and the inner surface of the second tubular member are spaced apart to form an annular cavity. The cavity is sealed, cleaned and dried and filled with a gas at a pressure greater than the surrounding water pressure. The pressure in the cavity is reduced prior to detonating an explosive charge within the first tubular member to weld the members together. The cavity may be subdivided into a plurality of zones by further seals, the pressure in the zones being separably adjustable so as to be able to control the pressure difference across each seal.

Abstract: A method of applying a surface layer across a surface layer or joint between cladding layers on a clad metal plate or plates comprises forming a shallow chamfer along each opposing cladding layer edge and positioning over the said chamfers a corrosion resistant metal flyer-plate having a shallow generally V-shaped configuration, optionally applying a buffer layer of transmitting medium placed on the outside surface of the flyer-plate, further superimposing an explosive layer upon the cladding and buffer layers and detonating the explosive layer so as to weld the flyer-plate material at least to the cladding layers. Advantageously a metal groove may be formed in the base metal layer of the clad plate to facilitate positioning of the flyer-plate, the groove wall conveniently being extensions of the cladding chamfer surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for a wire spray coating method including a capacitor connected with an electric power source to be charged thereby. A gap switch having discharge electrodes which are spaced apart from each other so that a discharge is produced under a voltage applied by the capacitor. Wire receiving terminals which are spaced apart to receive a length of wire of coating material therebetween, the terminals being connected with the capacitor so that the charge of the capacitor is applied to the terminals through the switch. The discharge electrodes being maintained at a fixed distance so that a discharge across the electrodes is readily produced when the electrodes are supplied with the voltage from the capacitor.

Abstract: A compound material for temperatures up to about 1250.degree. C. or 1350.degree. C., respectively, and a method for producing the same, are disclosed, including a pair of joined layers one of which is a corrosion- and high-temperature-resistant alloy, the other layer consisting of a refractory material with high strength at high temperatures. The layer having the weaker mechanical strength at high temperatures is thinner than the other layer, the ratio of layer thickness preferably being between 1:5 and 1:2. A further alloy layer may be provided on the opposite side of the refractory layer, thereby to define a three-layer laminate. A thin layer of diffusion barrier material, such as platinum or palladium, may be provided between the refractory and alloy layers. The method for producing the laminate includes the step of detonating an explosive layer to exposively clad the alloy layer on to the refractory layer.

Abstract: An improved method of electroforming a metallic member to a ceramic member and joint formed thereby. The method of this invention involves axially pre-loading a ceramic material to be joined to a metal shaft with a force sufficient to place the ceramic component into a state of compression about equal in magnitude to the axially directed tensile stresses expected to be induced in the ceramic material during shrinkage of the metal member about the ceramic.Further, the compressive pre-load is applied to the ceramic member through materials suitable for absorbing shock waves which might be generated along the longitudinal axis of the ceramic material.

Abstract: A method is provided for the explosive welding together of sections of large diameter metal pipe of the kind used in the construction of high volume oil and gas pipelines. In the method, internal and external band charges of welding explosive are simultaneously detonated adjacent to overlapped telescoped pipe ends. The welding charges are detonated simultaneously by means of very high detonation velocity initiation explosive charges placed along a leading edge of each welding explosive charge. The initiating explosive charges are each set off by a single detonator means. The velocity of detonation of the initiating explosive is selected so that welding charges are simultaneously detonated around the pipes while maintaining the detonation fronts at superimposed locations and at a large angle to the pipe axis. This avoids unbalancing forces on the pipes and minimizes the collision of circumferential shock waves thus preventing pipe damage and imperfect welds.

Abstract: Water filled cavities are dried by replacing the water with a first liquid which is miscible with water and this is then replaced by a second liquid which is miscible with the first and which has a high vapor pressure. The second liquid is then replaced by a gas. The invention is particularly useful for removing water from between members which are to be explosively welded together underwater so as to improve the quality of the welded joint obtained.

Abstract: A method of joining an inner metal pipe with a surrounding outer metal pipe comprising placing inside the inner pipe a contact body which prevents change of the inside diameter of the inner pipe and detonating an explosive around the outer pipe so that the inner surface of the outer pipe is metallurgically joined to the outer surface of the inner pipe. The contact body is a rigid body made of salt and the contact body is removed after the pipes are joined by dissolving the contact body in a fluid in which the salt is soluable.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of dangerous fluids includes a housing having a housing member equipped with connecting nipples and with a valve seat formed on a discrete seat member, a magnet-supporting socket connected to the housing member and bounding a compartment therewith, and a valve member accommodated in the compartment and displaceable toward and away from the seat to control the flow of the fluid through the compartment between the connecting nipples. A layer of corrosion-resistant material is explosion welded to and covers the internal surface of the housing. The magnet-supporting socket includes two components of materials which are incapable of being welded to one another in a melt-welding operation, the components being connected to one another by explosion-welding.

Abstract: A method of repairing a joint between a tube and a tube plate comprising removing an end portion of the tube and replacing it with a connector explosively welded to the tube and the plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting bimetallic members by explosive bong. The apparatus comprises a bimetallic collar having an outer aluminum ring and an inner steel ring that are connected by explosive bonding. The steel fitting is welded to the steel ring and the aluminum ring is welded to the aluminum deck. The method of making the bimetallic collar is by vertically and concentrically mounting an inner solid steel cylinder, an intermediate hollow aluminum cylinder, and an outer cardboard cylinder and thereby forming an annular acceleration cavity between the steel and aluminum cylinders and an annular powder cavity between the aluminum and cardboard cylinders. The annular powder cavity is filled with powder and ignited. The explosion causes the aluminum of the aluminum cylinder to accelerate across the acceleration cavity and become bonded to the outer surface of the solid steel cylinder.

Abstract: In a continuous casting mold of a copper alloy havng a nickel layer plated on the mold cavity surface, wherein an alloy layer of nickel containing one of Co, Fe and Mn and 3-5 mm thickness replaces the Ni layer.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in highly corrosive industrial applications includes a metal body subject to corrosion and a diaphragm formed of a corrosion resistant metal. The metal of the diaphragm is metallurgically incompatible with the body metal. The diaphragm is nevertheless hermetically sealed to the body with the aid of a transition member having a first portion of metal which is metallurgically compatible with the body and a second portion of another metal metallurgically compatible with the diaphragm. Both portions are joined together by a sound, molecular bond, as for example, by using explosive bonding techniques. The first portion of the transition member is fusion welded to the body and the diaphragm is similarly welded to the second portion, thereby presenting at the process fluid interface a barrier that consists solely of corrosion resistant metal.

Abstract: A base metal having at least one curved major surface is placed on a hard plate in such a way that the curved surface is in opposed relationship with the hard plate, and a cladding metal sheet is placed in opposed and spaced-apart relationship with the upper flat major surface of the base metal. The cladding metal sheet is firmly bonded to the base metal by explosive welding, and the curved surface of the cladding metal bonded becomes substantially in conformity with the curved surface of the base metal prior to the explosive welding. A clad metal sheet with a higher degree of dimensional accuracy may be provided and the bond is very strong and highly reliable. With copper base metal and composite cladding metal sheets each prepared by butt-welding foreign metal sheets which may be different in thickness, a mold for continuous casting may be produced which may substantially eliminate casting defects.

Abstract: A method of bonding powdered material to a surface comprising placing at least one layer of powdered material onto a support of ductile material, positioning a surface to be coated by the powdered material in facing spaced relation with the powdered material and placing an explosive charge on the support on the surface thereof opposite the powdered material. The explosive charge is then detonated to produce acceleration of the support and the powdered material thereon towards the surface to be coated to cause impact of the powdered material with the surface to be coated and welding thereof. The detonation of the explosive charge proceeds along the length of the charge to progressively bring the powdered material into impact contact with the surface to be coated. The speed of detonation of the explosive charge is less than the speed of sound in the powdered material or support.

Abstract: A simple means for eliminating the noise and debris of explosive welding techniques by totally enclosing and applying the explosive pressure through the wall of the enclosure.

Abstract: This invention relates to the closure of conditioned-atmosphere containers by magnewelding by means of an exploding coil. After packing, the containers are temporarily closed by a programming cap of elastic synthetic polymer adapted to fix the essential features of the geometric parameters concerned in the subsequent magnewelding operation.Specific application to the sealing of nuclear fuel cans.

Abstract: A method for connecting bimetallic members by explosive to form a bimetal collar having an outer aluminum ring and an inner steel ring that are connected by explosive bonding. The steel fitting is welded to the steel ring and the aluminum ring is welded to the aluminum deck. The method of making the bimetallic collar is by vertically and concentrically mounting an inner solid steel cylinder, an intermediate hollow aluminum cylinder, and an outer cardboard cylinder and thereby forming an annular acceleration cavity between the steel and aluminum cylinders and an annular powder cavity between the aluminum and cardboard cylinders. The annular powder cavity is filled with powder and ignited. The explosion causes the aluminum of the aluminum cylinder to accelerate across the acceleration cavity and become bonded to the outer surface of the solid steel cylinder. The solid steel cylinder is then bored out leaving an aluminum cylinder explosively bonded to a hollow steel cylinder.

Abstract: A metal wall, such as that of a vessel, is provided with cladding which is welded to the metal wall such that an elongated space is formed between the weld seams. The elongated space allows for the testing of the weld seams for leakproofness by closing off one end of the space and injecting a gaseous medium, or the like, into the space and gauging whether or not the medium exits via the weld seams. A plate made of rubber, plastic or the like may also be used in welding the cladding to the metal wall, which plate covers the unconnected ends of the two cladding parts making up the cladding layer for the metal wall.

Abstract: A device for perforating or cutting a target made of metal or other materials by means of a plasma jet. The device includes a cast grain of plasma producing pyrotechnic material that is coated over a major portion of its exterior surface with a combustion inhibiting layer. The coated grain is enclosed within an elongate hollow housing provided with closure plates at both ends thereof, with one of the plates having a nozzle opening that is substantially coextensive with a longitudinal recess formed within the grain so that the plasma jet produced by the incendiary reaction of the grain is directed out through the nozzle opening for impingement upon the target.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate is disclosed. The method comprises placing a metal film in juxtaposition to a surface to be joined thereto. A buffer medium having an explosive charge on at least one surface thereof is positioned proximate the film. The explosive charge is detonated to propel the film against the surface to shear a portion of the film, corresponding in shape to the surface, away from the buffer medium to bond the sheared portion to the surface.