Numerical simulation of solute evolution during laser cladding with nickel superalloy powder injection

A transient 3‐D numerical model including heat transfer, solute transport and phase change kinetics is developed for laser cladding with coaxial injection of nickel superalloy powders. The evolution of the temperature and composition distributions of the built‐up layer is investigated. The modified Kolmogorov–Johnson–Mehl–Avrami equation is used for phase change modeling considering non‐homogeneous temperature distribution of the melt pool. The influence of self-consistent heat conduction and phase change kinetics as well as of substrate boundary and soluble impurity atoms on the phase change process is analyzed. The results indicate the influence of solute concentration on the rapid crystallization process and can be used for the clad layer dimensions and microstructure estimation in laser cladding with nickel superalloy powder injection.