A　multi-layered　Al-Cu　joint　is　achieved　by　vaporizing　foil　actuator　welding　(VFAW).　The　process　of　welding,　tensile　properties　and　microstructure　of　multi-layered　Al-Cu　joint　are　systematically　investigated　using　numerical　simulations　and　experiments.　Micro-melting　at　the　welding　interface　contributes　to　metallurgical　bonding.　When　the　impact　velocity　exceeds　430 m/s,　a　larger　metallurgical　bonding　area　is　created　between　the　two　neighbouring　sheets,　which　in　turn　increases　the　shear　strength　of　the　joint.　Comparing　to　the　Cu-Cu　interface,　the　Al-Cu　interface　forms　a　distinct　waveform　because　of　the　differences　between　the　base　material　in　hardness　and　density.　Due　to　the　rapid　cooling　rate　of　VFAW,　a　gradient　structure　containing　nanocrystals　and　amorphous　zone　is　formed　between　the　matrices　and　the　transition　zone.　©　The　Author(s)　2025.