Optimizing direct laser metal deposition of H13 cladding on CuBe alloy substrate

Abstract

This work aims at depositing single-layer H13 tool steel cladding on a precipitation hardening copper‑beryllium (CuBe) alloy substrate using direct laser metal deposition (DLMD). The process parameters, i.e. laser power, powder feed rate, overlap ratio, and substrate temperature were optimized at the scan speed of 1000 mm/min for both single-track and single-layer cladding. The clad quality was evaluated according to i) geometrical features ii) cladding defects, iii) interfacial adhesion, and iv) substrate over-aging.