Laser surface treatments for surface modification, parts renewal, and
manufacturing of complex/near-net-shaped components are the recent research
hotspots. Laser cladding is one such bulk deposition coating technique, where an
amalgamation of materials with desirable properties is melted using a laser energy
source and deposited over a moving substrate. Once the deposited material cools and
solidifies, a clad layer is formed on the substrate resulting in strong metallurgical
bonding inducing elevated heat resistance coating and tribological properties of the
meshing surfaces. This chapter reviews the influences of various laser cladding process
parameters, such as laser power, scan speed, beam diameter, powder feeding
methods/rate, beam focal position on the cladding geometry, dilution rate, layer
thickness, aspect ratio, microstructure, and tribological properties. Then, the defects
observed in laser cladding techniques are reviewed, along with the causes and the
remedies reported in the literature. Finally, the tribological applications of laser
cladding in traditional and novel materials are also reported.
Keywords: Applications, Cooling rates, CO2 laser, Defects, Energy Density,
Fiber laser, Focus Height, Functionally graded material layers, Laser Cladding,
Laser Power, Microcracks, Microhardness, Nd:YAG laser, Porosity, Post Heat
Treatment, Powder feed rate, Process Parameters, Remedies, Scan Speed, Wear
Resistance.
