Effects of process parameters on morphology of laser deposited layer on IC10 directionally solidified superalloy

Laser cladding was used to prepare the IC10 directionally solidified superalloy. Effects of process parameters such as laser power, scanning speed and focal position on the morphologies of cladding layers (in terms of widths, fusion depths and layer heights of the cross sections) were investigated by experiments. Results showed that a heat input within a range of 490.2 to 888.9 kJ/m² can result in an acceptable cladding layer. The low heat input can lead to the lack of fusion between the cladding and the base metal, while too high heat input can generate porosity defects in the deposited layer. An orthogonal experiment result indicated that laser power had the greatest effects on cladding layer width, followed by focal position and scanning speed. For fusion depth, the order of significances is focal position, laser power and then scanning speed. Influences of these three factors on cladding height were not notably different.