Laser cladding explained

What is laser cladding?

Laser cladding is a cost-efficient and technically superior alternative to hard coatings such as nickel-chrome plating (NiCr) and HVOF spraying. Laser cladding is predominately being applied to piston rods, rollers, drums, mandrels, propeller shafts, tubes and bearings. New components are upfront provided with superior surface properties and damaged components are dimensionally restored while adding optimized protection.

The process of laser cladding

Laser cladding is a process that uses laser technology to fuse a powdered alloy with a substrate. The laser technology provides a highly focused low-energy heat source to create the melting pool.

Due to this focused energy input, the substrate is only exposed to a very limited amount of heat. Physical property changes are negligible and the substrate retains its original shape and dimension. The powdered alloy is metallurgically bonded with the substrate, creating a pore and crack-free coating with highly improved surface properties such as high corrosion and wear resistance.

Laser cladding explained 1
Technical advantages

 No failure due to (sub)corrosion, external impacts, bending or thermal shocks

Excellent overhaul possibilities of heavily damaged or worn out components

Easy on-site repairability

Economic advantages

Higher uptime of capital intensive equipment

Longer lifetime of essential components

Use of low-cost base material

One-stop shop

Environmental advantages

Prepared for a European ban on chromium-6

No waste, no chemicals and a low energy consumption