Laser cladding of high-temperature coatings

The processing and microstructural characteristics of nickel-based superalloys obtained by high-power laser surface cladding were studied. The processing variables were laser power, scan velocity and the composition of the feeder powder. The initial compositions consisted of a mixture of NiCrAl (71/18/11% by weight) and NiCrAl plus zirconium oxide composite (66/16/12/4% by weight). Following the process, the clad layers were characterized using analytical tools such as optical and scanning electron microscopy and thickness, substrate/ coating interface, cracks and their hardness.