Geometry and dilution rate analysis and prediction of laser cladding

Dilution rate is an important factor affecting the properties of laser cladding. However, the exact estimate of dilution rate in direct laser fabrication is still not fully developed. In this study, high-strength and wear-resistant YCF102 alloy powder is used to laser clad on the steel substrate. The area of the cladding layer is replaced by a part of the circle, and the relationship among the deposition angle, the clad width, and the area of the cladding layer is established. The geometry of the fusion zone is replaced by polynomial function of the fourth degree, and the relationship among the thermal tension angle, the clad width, the melting pool depth, and the area of the fusion zone is established. The value of the dilution rate is obtained by the area of the cladding layer and the fusion zone. The correlation coefficient of the area of cladding layer, the area of the fusion zone, and the dilution rate is also obtained. The estimate results coincident with the measurement results very well. The proposed theoretical model offers a basis for estimate of dilution rate in laser cladding.