Laser cladding (also called laser metal deposition or LMD) is a surface modification technique where a laser beam is used to melt a coating material (often in powder or wire form) as it's applied to a base material. The result is a metallurgically bonded coating with enhanced properties.
Key Features:
- Precision: Highly controlled process with minimal heat-affected zone (HAZ).
- Low dilution: Minimal mixing of the cladding and base material.
- Versatile materials: Can use metals, alloys, ceramics, and composites.
- Thickness control: Can deposit layers ranging from 0.1 mm to several millimeters.
Common Materials Used:
- Base materials: Steel, stainless steel, titanium, nickel-based alloys.
- Cladding materials: Cobalt alloys (like Stellite), nickel alloys, tungsten carbides, and ceramics.
Applications:
- Repair of worn components (e.g., turbine blades, shafts).
- Wear and corrosion protection (e.g., oil & gas, mining, marine).
- Additive manufacturing and near-net-shape forming.
Advantages:
- Improved wear, corrosion, and heat resistance.
- Reduced need for replacement of high-cost parts.
- Minimal distortion due to localized heating.
Limitations:
- Equipment is expensive.
- Requires skilled operation and precise control.
- Not ideal for very large surface areas.