Multi-objective numerical simulation of geometrical characteristics of laser cladding of cobalt-based alloy based on response surface methodology

The objectives of this study are to optimize the key process parameters of laser cladding remanufacturing parts, improve the sealing quality of the hemispherical valve and prolong and improve its service life and reliability. A high-power fiber-coupled semiconductor laser was used to fabricate a single Co-based alloy cladding layer on the pump valve material ZG45 plate. The key process parameters of laser power, scanning speed and powder feeding rate in the process of laser remanufacturing are taken as optimization variables, and the coating width, coating height, coating depth, aspect ratio and dilution rate are taken as response indexes. Based on the response surface analysis method, the central compound experiment is designed using Design-Expert software. The variance analysis of the experimental results is performed, and the regression prediction model of the process parameters relative to the corresponding index is established. Through analysis of the established perturbation diagram and three-dimensional response surface, it is concluded that the main influence factors of melting width and penetration depth are laser power and positive effect, and the main influence factors of melting height are scanning speed and negative effect. The average error of each regression prediction model is lower than 10%. The above research work has important guiding significance for optimizing the process parameters and improving the cladding quality of cobalt-based alloy on ZG45.