Abstract
Materials with good high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance, such as nickel (Ni) superalloys, are traditionally applied to the surfaces of critical mining equipment using arc welding technology (i.e., weld overlay) which is a common method for repairing and extending the longevity of mineral processing infrastructure. Laser cladding is an alternative method of overlay, which has a lower heat input than traditional arc techniques, thereby reducing distortion and dilution. The objective of the current study is to characterize the microstructure & hardness of laser clad Inconel 686 layer. A parameter set was selected from prior optimization work and a single-layer multi-track clad was produced at a standard 50% overlap. The resultant clad layer exhibited dilution levels of 15.44% ± 0.11%. Hardness mapping showed variation in hardness between the clad layer and substrate, with the heat-affected zone showing increased hardness compared to the bulk of the substrate. Analysis of the microstructure showed intertrack lack of fusion defects as well as evidence of micro segregation of molybdenum-enriched particles. The combination of results shows the need for further identification of process-microstructure-property relationships.