PARAMETRIC STUDIES OF LASER CLADDING PROCESSES

Laser cladding has gained increasing popularity both in industry and i n academic research. This work describes an investigation of laser cla dding of mild steel substrate with Colmonoy 88 nickel-based hardfacing powder. Emphasis is placed on the effect of the translation speed (TS ) of the laser beam and the powder feed rate (PFR) on the physical and microstructural qualities of the clad laver. The results on the profi le of single clad pass. extent of dilution. surface hardness and the m icrostructures: produced by different cladding conditions are presente d and discussed, through which the optimum cladding parameters for max imum hardness of the clad material are identified.