Cladding mechanism: Cladding is the bonding together of dissimilar metals. It is different from fusion welding or gluing as a method to fasten the metals together. Cladding is often achieved by extruding two metals through a die as well as pressing or rolling sheets together under high pressure. laser cladding is a method of depositing material by which a powdered or wire feedstock material is melted and consolidated by use of a laser in order to coat part of a substrate or fabricate a near-net shape part . It is often used to improve mechanical properties or increase corrosion resistance, repair worn out parts and fabricate metal matrix composites.
Process: The powder used in laser cladding is normally of a metallic nature, and is injected into the system by either coaxial or lateral nozzles. The interaction of the metallic powder stream and the laser causes melting to occur, and is known as the melt pool. This is deposited onto a substrate; moving the substrate allows the melt pool to solidify and thus produces a track of solid metal. This is the most common technique, however some processes involve moving the laser/nozzle assembly over a stationary substrate to produce solidified tracks..
Advantages
Best technique for coating any shape .
Particular dispositions for repairing parts .
Most suited technique for graded material application.
Well adapted for near-net-shape manufacturing.
Low dilution between track and substrate
Low deformation of the substrate and small heat affected zone.
High cooling rate .
A lot of material flexibility (metal, ceramic, even polymer).
Built part is free of crack and porosity.
Compact technology.