Specifics of the Surface Structure of Stainless Steel Elements on Thin-Sheet Basis Applied via Laser Cladding

Abstract

In modern conditions, creation of construction elements on thin-sheet steel parts is becoming an increasingly actual problem for various industries. However, the complexity and price of current technological methods applied for creation of such elements cannot cover the current industry needs. One of the ways to solve this problem – usage of laser cladding methods, makes it possible to obtain the required properties of the working surface of the alloyed part with a relatively low per-piece price of the process. Over the course of the study, combined method of laser cladding of an element on a thin-sheet stainless steel surface was analyzed, its technological capabilities were determined, and the structural-phase state of surface layers, formed during cladding of stainless-steel elements on thin-sheet basis. During comparative studies of samples obtained by both methods of surface cladding, it was found that in the case of laser-plasma cladding, the observed structure and carbide phases are smaller in size, with a low density and uniform distribution of dislocations in the metal of the alloyed layer. After various analysis, it was established that during both laser and laser-plasma methods of surface cladding, the crack formation tendencies was mostly attributed to various structural and concentration changes associated with the redistribution of elements, leading to the formation of sharp grain-boundary concentration gradients. An increase in the number of cracks is observed in regimes with higher heating temperatures, increased duration of exposure to high temperatures and reduced cooling rates.