Three-dimensional analytical model on laser-powder interaction during laser cladding

Abstract

To compute the attenuation of laser power by powder stream and the temperature distribution of the powder particles arriving at different sites on the surface of the workpiece, a three-dimensional analytical model was presented based on Lambert-Beer theorem, Mie’s theory, and heat equilibrium principle. The obtained results revealed that for a given stream spread and speed of powder particles, the laser intensity distribution of laser spot and the temperature distribution of the powder particles reaching the surface of workpiece are both greatly affected by the powder feeding rate and the feeding angle. It was suggested that the presented results should be considered in the laser cladding process in order to control the dynamic processes in laser molten pool.