Laser Repair Cladding of Ni-Base Alloy on TC2 Ti Alloy

Abstract

An attempt has been made to fabricate Ni-base alloy layer on the surface of TC2 titanium alloy substrate by laser repair cladding technology for repairing the worn surface of TC2 alloy after in service. Laser cladding is carried out by melting the preplaced Ni-base alloy powder using a continuous wave CO2 laser and using Ar as shielding gas. Microstructure and chemical composition of the cladding coating was revealed by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), together with the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS). A clad layer with low dilution and metallurgically bonding coating to the substrate could be obtained. A significant improvement in microhardness is achieved in the cladding layer and at the interfacial region. The results showed that laser repair cladding is highly promising technology to restore damaged Ti alloy parts.