Laser cladding of copper base alloys onto Al Si7 Mg0.3

Abstract
Certain copper alloys have proved to be suitable for laser cladding onto aluminium base. By using the blown powder technique with a 1.5 KW CO₂ laser, clads without cracks or porosity have been produced. The base material has the composition Al Si7 Mg0.3 and the clads are made from alloyed copper with varying contents of Ni, Fe, Si and Al. Aluminium dilution in the clad can be kept lower than 1 wt%. Particularly rough interfaces were observed between the clad material and the remelted zone of the substrate. These interfaces present only narrow and irregular intermetallic areas. Crack free interfaces can be achieved for clads with hardnesses up to 350 HV0.l. Clads, microstructure and interfaces which form in the clad are discussed.