Laser overlay cladding
Laser cladding is a thermal coating process in which a filler material is melted by a laser beam and fused with the base material to increase wear resistance. It enables precise, thin layers.
Physicochemical Mechanism of Action
A laser beam is directed onto a material and rapidly melts the filler material. The heat is so concentrated that only the desired area is melted, while the rest remains unchanged.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
This process increases the hardness and wear resistance of the material. However, it can also lead to defects if the settings are not correct. Too high a feed rate can result in incomplete fusion or thin layers, while too low a feed rate leads to overfilled or uneven layers.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
Use a high-precision laser with the correct energy setting. The melting time should be between 0.1 and 2 seconds, depending on the material. Make sure the layer is evenly distributed and has no gaps or overfills.