Laser Metal Deposition Process of Metals, Alloys, and Composite Materials

Abstract

Laser metal deposition process is an important additive manufacturing process with a number of capabilities such as the ability to fabricate three dimen- sional (3D) part directly from the 3D computer aided design profile of the part; the ability to repair worn out parts of very high value that were not repairable in the past; and the ability to build a new part on an existing part that are metallurgically bonded to the old part. This important capability of the laser metal deposition process (ability to add new part on an existing part) is what has positioned this important additive manufacturing process in product remanufacturing and this is a unique laser metal deposition capability. Product remanufacturing is an important aspect of manufacturing that helped to improve material life cycle and helped to reduce scrap. In this chapter, repair, remanufacturing and surface modification applications areas of laser metal deposition process are presented.