Influence of heat input and powder density on energetic efficiency of high power diode laser cladding of carbon steel with AISI316L powder

Abstract

High power diode laser with coaxial powder injection was used to deposit single tracks of austenitic stainless
steel on to a carbon steel plate, and the influence of heat input and powder density on energetic efficiency
of the process, as well as on some geometrical features of the clad and on dilution was investigated. The
energetic efficiency, calculated as the energy used to form the clad and the Heat Affected Zone, tends to
increase with the powder density, while it decreases on increasing heat input. The combination of a high
powder density and a low heat input is expected to optimize the energetic efficiency. In these conditions, the
chemical dilution of the clad is minimized whilst aspect ratio is rather low but still acceptable. Moreover, the
energy spent for the powder and the substrate can be correlated to the iron contamination of the clad.