Laser Cladding of Vanadium-Carbide Tool Steels for Die Repair

Freeform Laser Consolidated H13 and CPM 9V Tool Steels

“…In contrast, CPM 9V steel belongs to a family of novel CPM tool steels, which possess substantially improved abrasive wear resistance in combination with enhanced toughness and heat check resistance due to the presence of a high amount of primary vanadium carbides in the matrix [28]. Only a few works such as in [12,[31][32][33][34] on laser deposition of CPM serial tool steels, however, have been reported so far since the high hardness of the steels might inevitably induce thermal cracking during the processes, especially in the case of freeform fabrication, bringing in a technical challenge to their material processability.…”

Influence of pre-heating on the surface modification of powder-metallurgy processed cold-work tool steel during laser surface melting

“…5). The observed microstructures are typical for laser-melted tool steels [1,2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]13,15,18,21]. Usually, laser-melted tool steels contain martensite, retained austenite and carbides [5].…”

“…Relative to the substrate properties, the increase in hardness in the PFS zone and in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) may be attributed to the austenite formation, and the partial dissolution of carbides in this phase. During cooling the austenite transforms at least partially to martensite [5,15]. In the heat-affected zone (HAZ) only solid-state phase transformations occur [5].…”

“…Consequently, the mechanical properties of tool steels may be controlled. Optimizing process parameters of laser surface treatments to achieve better properties of various steels remains a relevant topic [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The most important laser processes are as follows: laser heat treatment, laser melting, laser cladding and laser alloying [22].…”

Laser Cladding in the Tooling Industry

“…Researchers have reported to successfully deposited various coating materials on different components, also on cast iron (Ocelik et al 2007, Lestan et al 2010. A Nd:YAG laser has been used to explore the possibility to repair dies with vanadium-carbide tool steels (Leunda et al 2011). Because of their high hardness and good wear resistance carbide powders are also used as coating material.…”