Prediction of solidification cracking by an empirical-statistical analysis for laser cladding of Inconel 718 powder on a non-weldable substrate

This paper presents an empirical-statistical approach to predict solidification cracking during laser cladding of Inconel 718 powder on A-286 Fe-based superalloy. This approach is based on a linear regression analysis and empirical-statistical correlations between the key processing parameters (laser power, P; powder feed rate, F; and scanning speed, V) and the geometrical attributes of single laser cladding tracks. These correlations were used for the development of a processing map which assesses the effects of the geometrical characteristics on the solidification cracking and the required conditions to obtain crack-free clads. Scanning electron microscopy was used for microstructural characterization. Thermodynamic calculations using the non-equilibrium Scheil solidification model were also employed. The empirical-statistical analysis showed that the processing parameters directly associated with the height and angle of single laser cladding tracks are P-2(F/V)(2) and P-0.5(F/V)(1), respectively. The processing map revealed that the dilution ratio is the governing macrostructural attribute required to avoid solidification cracking. Indeed, a substrate dilution ratio lower than 25% shifts the cladding composition to an alloy regime, which has lower susceptibility to solidification cracking. The role of this macrostructural feature in reducing the susceptibility of the fusion zone to solidification cracking is thoroughly discussed.