Microstructure, element segregation and performance of Inconel 625 metal layer deposited by laser assisted ultra-high frequency induction deposition

In this work, laser assisted ultra-high frequency (UHF) deposition, which combines UHF induction heat and laser heat in the deposition process, was proposed and investigated. Compared with the laser deposited layer, the Inconel 625 layer deposited through laser assisted UHF induction had a refined microstructure and low element segregation, which were due to the electromagnetic stirring effect and low heat input of the proposed method. Experimental observation of the deposited layer and numerical analysis of the deposition process were conducted to reveal the influence mechanism of parameters on element segregation in the deposited layers. Results showed that increasing the current intensity and moving velocity suppressed element segregation by enhancing the flow behavior and increasing the cooling rate of the molten metal, which in turn improved the microhardness and corrosion resistance of the deposited layer. Multilayer Inconel 625 was also fabricated using the proposed deposition method. The multilayer Inconel 625 deposited through laser assisted UHF induction had low element segregation and good corrosion resistance, indicating the potential of using the laser assisted UHF induction deposition method in the fabrication of corrosion-protective metal layers.