What is the Difference Between Laser Cladding And Thermal Spraying?

Laser cladding is an important method of material surface modification technology. It uses a high-energy density laser beam to clad (spray) the alloy material on the surface of the substrate to obtain an alloy layer with completely different compositions and properties from the base material. Surface spraying can be performed using laser technology, and surface cladding can also be performed. Let's take a look at the difference between laser cladding and thermal spraying.

The difference between the two is: spraying is to use a laser beam to heat the coating material to a molten state, and then spray and deposit it on the surface of the substrate by accelerated spraying of compressed gas; The rapid solidification process of melting, the cladding layer forms a complete metallurgical bond with the surface of the base material. However, laser spraying is currently less used.

Laser cladding is a method of using high-energy beam laser to melt the coating raw materials preset on the surface of the substrate, and at the same time, the basic surface layer is melted to form a metallurgical coating method. Thermal spraying is to use a certain heat source to heat powder or filamentary metal or non-metallic materials to a molten or semi-molten state, and then spray it onto the pretreated substrate surface at a certain speed by means of the flame itself or compressed air, and deposit it. Surface coating methods with various functions. This process is easy to form pollution and harmful substances to the human body. Compared with thermal spraying, a more environmentally friendly laser cladding technology is recommended, which is not only more environmentally friendly, but also more wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant.

The above is the difference between laser cladding and thermal spraying. The laser cladding coating and the substrate are metallurgically combined, and thermal spraying is a mechanical combination; the laser cladding coating is relatively dense, and the thermal spray coating contains a large number of holes; the cost of laser cladding is high, and it is a "high-tech" , Thermal spraying is cheaper. There is also laser cladding, which is a "green and environmentally friendly treatment process", and thermal spraying has pollution.