Technology Innovation for the Manual Laser Cladding of High-Alloy Tool Steels

Abstract

This paper presents the development and successful application of an inductive preheating system running simultaneously with the manual laser cladding process in order to enable the repair of high-alloy tool steels having a highly limited weldability. In this study, the design and optimization of a suitable inductor as well as the analysis of the welding process were carried out by means of FE-simulation in order to generate material deposition without imperfections. Parameter variation studies were conducted while parallel modifying the generator power resulting in different preheating temperatures. These examinations showed that by using appropriate process parameters and an inductive preheating temperature of 200 °C, crack- and pore-free deposition layers could be produced on the commercial high-alloyed PM steel Elmax. This result can be explained by FE-simulation demonstrating that the cooling rate was halved in the weld and in the heat-affected zone. In conclusion, this study shows the high potential of the developed technical innovation for the manual laser cladding of high-performance tools.