TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 794/2004
Rob Scudamore and Jeffrey Allen (Rolls-Royce plc) undertake a project to examine the feasibility of laser deposition of Waspaloy
Background
Laser-based deposition of nickel-based superalloys has attracted increasing industrial interest for repair or original part build as it is economically viable when there is high part cost. The aerospace sector, in particular, manufacture components made from nickel-based superalloys incurring large material and machining costs.
A powder delivery system using a single nozzle has been designed, analysed and used in combination with a continuous wave Nd:YAG laser to create deposits.
Waspaloy was chosen as the nickel-based superalloy to be deposited. It has better high temperature properties than conventional aerospace grade materials, such as Inconel 718, whilst maintaining some 'weldability'.
Objectives
- To review laser deposition process developments with special reference to nickel-based superalloys.
- To deposit a relevant nickel-based superalloy in single and multiple layers onto plate of the same material.
- To analyse the deposited material for solidification defects and porosity.