Characterisation and formation of boundary in laser cladding AZ91D with Al + Al2O3

Abstract

The laser surface cladding of AZ91D magnesium alloy with Al + Al₂O₃ powders was investigated. The growth morphology of the boundary zone between the laser surface cladding layer and AZ91D substrate, and the distribution of Al₂O₃ particles in the laser surface cladding layer, were observed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the element line and mapping scans analyses on the boundary zone were carried out with energy dispersive spectrum. The phases in the laser cladding layer and the substrate of AZ91D magnesium alloy were identified by X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the distribution of the Al₂O₃ particles was homogeneous in the laser surface cladding layer and the growth morphology of the boundary zone was in a unique parallel branching feature. The formation of the parallel branching dendrite is mainly related to the temperature gradient, the ultimate rate of dendrite growth and the rate of pool solidification on the growing fronts.