Surface protection of light metals by one-step laser cladding with oxide ceramics

摘要

Today, intricate problems of surface treatment can be solved through precision cladding using advanced laser technology. Metallic and carbide coatings have been produced with high-power lasers for years, and current investigations show that lasercladding is also a promising technique for the production of dense and precisely localized ceramic layers. In the present work, powders based on Al{sub}O{sub}2 and ZrO{sub}2 were used to clad aluminum and titanium light alloys. The compact layers are upto 1 mm thick and show a nonporous cast structure as well as a homogeneous network of vertical cracks. The high adhesive strength is due to several chemical and mechanical bonding mechanisms and can exceed that of plasma-sprayed coatings. Compared tothermal spray techniques, the material deposition is strictly focused onto small functional areas of the workpiece. Thus, being a precision technique, laser cladding is not recommended for large-area coatings. Examples of applications are turbinecomponents and filigree parts of pump casings.