Factors affecting the surface quality of laser cladding and improvement measures

Introduction to Laser Cladding
Laser cladding is a process of partially melting the surface of a material by irradiating it with a laser beam, spraying powder or wire onto the melted surface to generate a new surface layer. It can be used to repair damaged components, improve surface hardness, enhance surface performance, etc.

Factors affecting the surface quality of laser cladding
1. Pressure: The pressure during laser cladding has a direct impact on surface quality. If the pressure is too high, it will cause the sprayed material to melt excessively, resulting in surface protrusions; If the pressure is too low, the melted material cannot be compacted and the surface quality will be affected.
2. Temperature: The temperature during laser cladding is also an important factor affecting surface quality. Excessive temperature can lead to insufficient melting, uneven solidification, and poor surface quality of the sprayed material. Low temperatures can cause the material to pulverize and form irregular particles on the surface.
3. Materials: Different materials have varying effects on the surface quality of laser cladding. For some low melting point materials, such as copper and aluminum, oxidation is prone to occur during melting, which can have adverse effects on surface quality; High melting point materials, such as titanium alloys, can achieve better surface quality.
4. Atmosphere: The atmosphere during the melting process also affects the surface quality. Oxidative atmosphere can make the sprayed material prone to oxidation, resulting in poor surface quality; A reducing atmosphere can reduce oxidation reactions and improve surface quality.

Measures to improve the surface quality of laser cladding
1. Optimize melting parameters: By adjusting the pressure, temperature, and other parameters during melting according to the actual situation, the surface quality can be improved.
2. Choose appropriate materials: For different application scenarios, choosing suitable materials can avoid or reduce the problem of poor surface quality.
3. Controlling the atmosphere: Controlling the atmosphere during the melting process to improve oxidation reactions has a significant impact on surface quality.
4. Fine processing: Processing the surface after fusion, such as polishing, can further improve the surface quality.