Product Code: ICA12_507

Recent Developments in High Power Laser Cladding Techniques
Authors:
Jari Tuominen, Tampere Univ. of Technology, Department of Materials Science; Tampere Finland
Jonne Näkki, Tampere Univ. of Technology, Department of Materials Science, Technology Centre Ketek Ltd; Tampere Finland
Henri Pajukoski, Tampere Univ. of Technology, Department of Materials Science; Tampere Finland
Tuomo Peltola, Technology Centre Ketek Ltd.; Kokkola Finland
Petri Vuoristo, Tampere Univ. of Technology, Department of Materials Science; Tampere Finland
Presented at ICALEO 2012

Industrial laser cladding is typically done with 3-6kW continuous wave gas and solid state lasers. Applications include a wide variety of small components or restricted areas in larger components typically for automotive, aerospace, mining and process industries. The constant development in laser technologies has made it possible to build increasingly powerful solid state lasers with good beam absorption, high electrical efficiency and low maintenance. The availability of these fiber, disc and diode lasers with power outputs in excess of 10kW makes it possible to increase the productivity considerably in laser cladding. This is of great interest for large area cladding applications which have suffered from poor cost efficiency with current cladding technologies. Increasing the power in laser cladding sets, however, increases the demands for beam shaping and material feeding techniques which are crucial for final coating quality and industrial applicability of these processes. This paper describes the most recent developments in high power laser cladding including the use of powder, wire and strip consumables at laser power levels of 15kW and more.