By: Dr. Gerald Bruck and Brandon Shinn

Siemens Energy Inc.

A four kilowatt high power direct diode laser is demonstrated to clad stainless (UNS S41000) and nickel based (UNS N06002) alloys. Trials are conducted using pre-placed as well as argon fed filler metal powders deposited on matching alloy substrates.  Parametric tests are performed to define effects of powder depth, powder feed rate, and travel speed.  Relationships between such parameters and physical attributes such as reinforcement area and base metal dilution are reported.  Extension of such fundamental tests to parts of complex geometry is demonstrated.  Examples shown include laser clad refurbishment of component configurations such as inside corners, outside corners, adjacent flat surfaces and edges of compound geometry.