Effect of scanning path on temperature field in laser cladding

Temperature field of planar laser cladding with length direction, width direction and helical scanning path were simulated and analysed. Temperature distribution could be effected significantly by the laser scanning path. For short-path scanning, heat was concentrated in the local area, resulting in larger (/smaller) temperature gradient in the length (/width) direction of the substrate. However, such characteristics of long-path scanning were on the contrary. By comparison, the heat affected zone (HAZ) of the substrate with helical scanning mode was the smallest and its temperature fluctuations were more dispersed. (paper)