Modelling and monitoring of laser refusion processes of coatings obtained by plasma

This paper shows a theoretical and experimental study of the CO2 laser remelting of plasma sprayed coatings. The aim of the process is the decrease of the porosity to improve the layer properties. In a first approach simulation helps in finding the right process parameters, those parameters allow the melting of the sprayed layer and a minimal amount of substrate material to minimize dilution. The presented modelling includes several features allowing the description of phase transition in the remelting process, the main point is the use of different absorption coefficient in the two phases. Monitoring results gave additional information about the process and another way of doing process validation. The main result are is the prediction size and shape of the remelted layers and due to that the simulation code can be used in the parameter finding and plays an important role in the complete understanding of the process.