A multi-objective optimization of laser cladding process of Ni-based coating on the preheated copper alloy

The parameters of laser cladding have a major impact on the quality of coating. The suitable parameters are helpful to improve the coating’s morphology and properties. In this paper, a multi-objective optimization method is proposed to obtain the optimal parameters of laser cladding based on response surface methodology (RSM) and experiments. The laser power, scanning speed and preheating temperature are used as input factors, while coating’s height, depth and hardness are used as target responses. According to ANOVA, the second-order model between the target response and input factors is established to analyze the influence of input factors on height, depth and hardness. Then a multi-objective optimization model is built up to obtain the optimal process parameters of laser cladding. Finally, a coating is successfully prepared with those parameters. The height, depth and hardness of coating are analyzed. The experimental results show that the laser power and preheating temperature have more influence on copper alloy coating. The optimal process parameters are laser power 1400 W, scanning speed 120 mm/min and preheating temperature 200 °C. The corresponding height, depth and average hardness of coating are 0.48 mm, 0.12 mm and 941.6 HV0.5, respectively.