Formation of Ni‐Base Self‐Fluxing Alloy Layers by Diode Laser Cladding with Powder Feeder

The diode laser is more compact and the electro-optical-efficiency is higher about one order of magnitude. This is an advantage in both the small-size manufacturing field and large-size construction out door field. Another advantage is the wavelength. Due to shorter wave length most of the metals absorb diode laser (808nm) radiation more efficiently compared with CO2 laser (10600nm) enabling together with high power the use of wide beam optics. The deposition efficiency and energy balance were investigated. At the powder feeder nozzle angle of 45 degrees, the Ni-base self-fusing alloy layers of more than 650 mu m in thickness were formed. The layers formed at laser power of 200W and angle of 45 degrees had a high hardness of HV1012.