LASER CLADDING OF COPPER-BASE ALLOYS ONTO AL SI7 MG0.3

Certain copper alloys have proved to be suitable for laser cladding on to aluminium base. By using the blown powder technique with a 1.5 KW C O2 laser, clads without cracks or porosity have been produced. The bas e material has the composition Al Si7 Mg0.3 and the clads are made fro m alloyed copper with varying contents of Ni, Fe, Si and Al. Aluminium dilution in the clad can be kept lower than 1 wt%. Particularly rough interfaces were observed between the clad material and the remelted z one of the substrate. These interfaces present only narrow and irregul ar intermetallic areas. Crack free interfaces can be achieved for clad s with hardnesses up to 350 HV0.1. Clads, microstructure and interface s which form in the clad are discussed.