Influence of process parameters in the direct metal deposition of H13 tool steel on copper alloy substrate

Bi-metallic die of steel coated on high thermal conductive copper alloy is of great interest as mould material for the aluminium high pressure die casting industries. Direct Metal Deposition technique is widely used for laser cladding of steel on copper substrate. The characteristics of the deposited layer are strongly dependant on the DMD process parameters. Precise selection of the process parameters for a sound deposited layer is a great challenge in this stream. This paper investigates the influence of various process parameters such as laser power, feed rate, powder mass flow rate and focus size on the deposition process. Reflectivity, a common phenomenon associated with laser metal deposition on copper was the major obstructing factor considered in the experimental procedure. Based on these parametric investigations a suitable set of parameters are suggested for laser cladding of steel on copper substrate without high reflection that can potentially harm the machine.