Nowadays, laser cladding has increasingly grabbed market share of chrome electroplating in hi-end equipment manufacturing field as an emerging surface treatment craft.
In spite of simple technological process and low operating costs, chrome electroplating is still unfriendly to environment protection ascribing to its hexavalent chromium, a kind of heavy metal generated from surface repair. Given this, it will be phased out as a result of its severe contravention of current energy-saving and environmental-friendly policies; however, laser cladding is featured by intensive energy, small heat input, almost no workpiece deformation and flat cladding surface, which has developed into a type of pollution-free surface modifying craft though it needs relatively high investment at the start. With the longer durability, lower total costs and higher level of technology, laser cladding will light up the future development of remanufacturing field.
When using chrome electroplating, workpiece calls for repair almost each year, affecting normal production and requiring much time & effort because of its thin chrome electroplating layer (0.02-0.05mm), high hardness, unfavorable corrosion resistance, poor binding with base materials and short service life. Whereas workpiece repaired by laser cladding will last for over 5 times of chrome electroplating parts, with such obvious advantages; thanks to its intensive, even-distributed laser energy and small heat input, laser cladding layer can reach up to 1-2mm after being repaired. Cladding of different thicknesses is also available as required. Judging from remanufacturing repair craft and performance of workpiece surface after cladding, the laser cladding has surely arresting advantages and broad prospects of development.
In remanufacturing field, although chrome electroplating has a relatively long history and provides mature & stable machines and workmanship at relatively unchanged costs, laser cladding, as a new technology in metal surface modifying field, still has obvious economic advantages in the long run. The reason is that laser cladding workpiece only needs repair once every 5 years at the minimum maintenance costs despite its relatively high processing costs each time at the beginning. In addition, service life of these workpiece will also last for over 5 years. It is worth mentioning that chrome electroplating usually features under-performing surface, short lifespan, almost annual repair, additional repair costs and machine overhaul time, slowing down the production efficiency.
So it can be said that laser cladding is superior in overall service life (5 times of chrome electroplating workpiece) as a result of its special technical principles and glorious performance as a whole. With it, you can economize on energy and resources, reduce air pollution and protect the whole environment at lower costs by energy conservation and emission reduction. It is in accord with state-sponsored policies and guidelines that advocate the creation of a resource-saving and environment-friendly society.
In summary, laser cladding, with its apparent technological superiority, will surely enjoy promising future in the metal surface repair and remanufacturing field, which also symbolizes its development direction in years to come.