LASER CLADDING OF ASTM S31254 STAINLESS-STEEL ON A PLAIN CARBON-STEELSUBSTRATE

Surface layers of ASTM S31254 stainless steel were deposited on a plai n carbon steel substrate by laser cladding, using the blown powder tec hnique. It was found that a careful selection of laser treatment param eters results in clad layers with a homogeneous chemical composition a nd free of defects. No significant loss of alloying elements (Cr, Ni, Mo and N) was observed. The structure was austenitic, composed of very fine cellular dendrites. The anodic polarization behaviour was simila r to the commercial bulk ahoy, even in very aggressive solutions. The corrosion pits that appeared in the clad layers during long duration e xposure tests were smaller than in the commercial alloy.