Investigation of coaxial laser cladding process parameters influence onto single pass clad geometry of tool steel

ArticleThis paper is devoted to the investigation of the influence of technological parameters on the single pass clad geometry and quality as well as elemental composition in the clad after coaxial laser cladding (CLC). The objects of the investigation are components of expensive machines and tools for presswork needed to be repaired, i.e. refurbished for the future application with the goal of effective using of material resources in production. Nowadays such repair of worn tools is an actual task due to tendency for thrifty management of resources at affordable cost. Experimental work was carried out using CLC system, which consists of industrial robot and a ytterbium fiber laser with a core diameter of 100 μm, integrated to the coaxial powder supplying cladding head. During research separate cladding tracks of metal powder AISI М2 (particle size 53–150 μm) were deposited on the top surface of steel plates, which were grinded before treatment. This work’s highlighted parameters for variation were laser scanning speed and laser beam focus plane distance. The clad geometry was examined on cross-sections with SEM. Elemental composition was determined by the X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Gladding beads with good surface quality were achieved. Cross-sectional observation presented that clads has a good fusion with the base material without exfoliation. Keyhole shape of molten substrate area was achieved, which leads to increase of the dilution value. The future research is needed to achieve stable quality of cladding, which is extremely necessary for industry