Underwater Laser Cladding and Metallurgical Properties

Underwater laser cladding is an emerging surface engineering technique that employs a high­-power laser beam to fuse metallic powders or wires onto a substrate in a submerged environment. The process is distinguished by rapid heating and cooling rates induced by the surrounding water, leading to fine microstructures, reduced heat­-affected zones and exceptional metallurgical bonding. Such characteristics are invaluable for on­-site repair and maintenance of marine structures, subsea pipelines and offshore platforms, where conventional methods may be impractical. The presence of water alters melt­-pool dynamics, often resulting in columnar­-dendritic growth or equiaxed grains depending on processing parameters. These microstructures underpin critical properties including corrosion resistance, hardness and fatigue life. Advances in process control, beam delivery and powder feeding systems have mitigated challenges such as beam attenuation, plume formation and uneven cladding geometry. Ongoing research seeks to optimise parameters to achieve uniform cladding layers, tailor phase composition and enhance mechanical performance under high­-pressure, corrosive marine environments.

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Underwater Laser Cladding and Metallurgical Properties publication trend

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Technical terms

Laser cladding: A process in which a focused laser beam melts feedstock material and a substrate to form a metallurgical bond.

Underwater local dry laser cladding: A variant in which a controlled dry zone is created around the laser­-substrate interaction beneath water to improve cladding quality.

Melt pool: The molten region created by laser energy where feedstock and substrate material mix.

Microstructure: The arrangement of grains, phases and defects within a solid material at the microscopic scale.

Columnar dendrite: A tree­-like crystalline growth morphology typically aligned with the heat­-flow direction.

Equiaxed grain: A roughly equidimensional grain shape that arises under rapid solidification conditions.

Grain refinement: The reduction of grain size, often leading to improved mechanical strength and toughness.

Corrosion resistance: The ability of a material to withstand degradation by chemical or electrochemical reactions with its environment.

References

1. Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Underwater Laser Cladded Duplex Stainless Steel Coating after Underwater Laser Remelting Processing. Materials (2021).
2. In Situ Formation of Laser-Cladded Layer on Thin-Walled Tube of Aluminum Alloy in Underwater Environment. Materials (2021).
3. Design and Fabrication of an Environment Simulation Test Bed for Deep-sea Laser Cladding. Journal of Physics Conference Series (2023).