Characterization of dilution action in laser-induction hybrid cladding

Based on an experimental study of laser-induction hybrid cladding by powder feeding, the dilution action and elemental composition distribution were investigated in detail. The results indicate that, compared with individual laser cladding, by using laser-induction hybrid cladding it is easier to form a metallurgical bonding coating and the change range of dilution is much larger. Moreover, at the bottom of molten region, the morphology exhibits nearly a straight line. The processing parameters have great influence on dilution in hybrid cladding. With the increase of scanning speed, the tendency of dilution presents a U-shaped profile, i.e., the middle dilution is much less than those of two ends. The dilution increases with the induction energy. Furthermore, the bigger the dilution, the more uniform is the elemental composition throughout coating. In laser-induction hybrid cladding, the microstructure of low dilution coating is relatively fine due to the low hybrid cladding energy. By adjusting the laser energy and induction energy appropriately, i.e., high induction energy-low laser energy, the low dilution coating with fine microstructure and good mechanical properties can be achieved. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.