The repair of machine parts can be a time and cost saving method in many applications. Laser cladding as a reconditioning process is already frequently used for this purpose. Nevertheless, many critical components, particularly the blades of the low pressure (LP) side of power generating steam turbines, are subject to failure due to severe erosion at the leading edges. Since taking machines offline for maintenance and removal of damaged blade for repair is extremely expensive, increasing the service life of these critical components offers significant economic benefits.
Laser clad repairs fall into two categories: Dimensional repairs or surfacing repairs for the purpose of Hardfacing or corrosion resistance.