Development mechanism and solidification morphology of molten pool generated by laser cladding

Abstract Due to the complex transient characteristics, it is difficult to directly measure the formation and development of a molten pool formed by laser cladding. Considering the change of thermophysical properties at high temperatures and the coupling between the heat source and the molten pool surface, a new numerical simulation method was proposed and verified. The thermal history and formation of the molten pool, the convective pattern, and the solidification morphology of the cladding have been analyzed. The results show that the molten pool can reach steady-state in a very short time, and both considerable temperature gradient and fast circular convection exist in the molten pool. The bottom of the molten pool mainly showed columnar growth, while the top was equiaxed. Columnar to equiaxed transition occurred at the center of the molten pool.