The basic defects occuring in explosive clad plates were properly systemized and the reasons of their formation were explained. Cases of cracks and delaminations in explosive clad plates were examined in this work. Various values of tensile stresses coming from loading and unloading waves were analysed, as they were the main reason of defects. The defects were connected with properties of welded materials in the joint area and beyond it. Some practical aspects of this process were shown as well.