Laser Processes - Laser Cladding, Laser Deposition Welding

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Laser Cladding or laser deposition is a new weld surfacing technology. The process involves the deposition of any weldable material on the surface of a metal substrate using a laser beam and the heat source. This technique can be used on both new and worn products and is typically used to weld rebuilt worn or damaged surfaces, hard-face wear-susceptible materials or weld-clad surfaces susceptible to corrosion, oxidation, wear or a combination of these. Common applications include the repair of moulding tools, repair of press tools, repair of turbine blades.

This flexible technique allows welding consumables to be deposited in either powder or wire form. Weld deposits are fully fusion-joined to the substrate material in thicknesses ranging from 0.1 to several millimetres – multiple layers can also be deposited. The very low heat-input rate associated with laser welding results in extremely low dilution with the substrate, also resulting in relatively small heat-affected zones (HAZ) and minimal distortion. This property is particularly useful for the repair of high strength alloy steel or super alloys like inconel for which a large heat affected zone would result in reduction of component strength.

Additional Advantages of Laser Cladding Metallurgical damage due to extended HAZ and severe grain growth is vastly reduced Microstructures are much finer, harder and corrosion resistant compared with other processes A single cladded layer matches the composition of the welding consumable Selective areas on sensitive high value-components can be cladded Highly reproducible homogeneous layers with relatively smooth surfaces are obtained.