Laser Cladding Techniques For Application To Wear And Corrosion Resistant Coatings

Laser cladding techniques and equipment were developed to apply wear/corrosion resistant alloys on valve sealing surfaces. The new techniques allow cladding on flat, cylindrical and contoured surfaces more economically than prior processes and techniques used. The advantages realized by using the laser cladding technique for production parts are: (1) less than 2% dilution of base metal, (2) improved surface wear and corrosion properties, (3) reduced cracking susceptibility, (4) minimal warpage and distortion of clad components, (5) high integrity metallurgical bond, (6) suitability for full automation, (7) considerable savings of expensive cladding materials due to the consistancy and uniformity of applied cladding, (8) low heat input of laser cladding elminates adverse effects on base metal properties.