Hard metal-matrix composite coating via laser cladding on engineered surfaces

Laser surfacing is an important and necessary technology that can be used to repair, restore, and enhance the surface properties of parts, making them more durable, resistant, and efficient. The use of tungsten disulfide (WS2) in laser cladding is still in the development and research stage, but the properties and characteristics of WS2 make it a good candidate for laser cladding applications in industries where tribological systems, cutting tools, and thermal management are important. In this chapter, laser cladding of WS2 is carried out using a fiber laser of 400 W power. It is observed that a hard surface coating of WS2 was cladded to the substrate surface. The surface of the cladded surface is characterized in several ways to understand its properties and quality. Some common methods of characterizing a laser-cladded surface include microstructure analysis, hardness, wear testing, and chemical analysis. The microstructure of the cladded surface is analyzed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to understand the grain size, phase composition, and morphology of the cladded material. The hardness and wear resistance of the cladded surface are measured using Vickers hardness testing and tribometer testing to understand the mechanical properties of the cladded material. The chemical composition of the cladded surface is analyzed using techniques of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to understand the composition of the cladded material.