Experimental study on laser cladding process parameters of martensitic stainless steel powder on Plain Carbon Steel: Cladding Geometry, dilution Ratio and Sample Hardness

The laser cladding of industrial parts to improve their mechanical properties by metal alloys and composites has been a challenge for scientists and experts. The quality and properties of the cladding layer are determined by many factors such as cladding geometry, microstructure, dilution ratio, defects, distortion, surface smoothness, metallurgical changes in the substrate and process efficiency. In this study, the effect of important parameters of the cladding process on the geometric shape, hardness and dilution ratio of the cladding layers of martensitic stainless steel (17-4 PH ) on the substrate of plain carbon steel by solid-state continuous laser with maximum power 2 kW and the method of direct deposition of metal powder are discussed. Variable parameters of laser cladding including powder feed rate, laser scanning speed and laser power have been studied. The parameters of surface quality, geometric shape and absence of porosity have been evaluated and compared. The minimum dilution about 9% was obtained at a 10 mm/s scanning speed, 10 g/min powder feed rate and 330 watts laser power. The results have been showed, appropriate incorporation and uniform distribution of cladding powder has created a cladding surface without any crack and porosity. By studying the hardness of the samples, it has been concluded that the hardness of the substrate surface has increased after cladding.