What is the purpose of cladding in metalworking?

Cladding in metalworking primarily serves the purpose of providing better resistance to damage by bonding one metal onto another. This process involves overlaying a layer of one metal onto a substrate of a different metal, which can enhance the surface properties of the base metal significantly. For instance, this technique can increase corrosion resistance, wear resistance, or even improve the hardness of a metal component without altering the bulk properties of the underlying material. By using metals that are more resistant to environmental factors, manufacturers can produce components that last longer and perform better in demanding conditions.

The other choices either suggest benefits that are not the primary function of cladding or do not accurately reflect its main purpose in metalworking. While enhancing aesthetic qualities can be a secondary benefit, the core function revolves around improving durability and service life of the material. Furthermore, increasing thermal or electrical conductivity does not align with the specific applications of cladding, as it is not typically employed to alter conductivity properties of metals.