Improving surface integrity using laser metal deposition process

Laser Metal Deposition (LMD), an additive manufacturing process (also known as 3-D printing) and a non-traditional fabrication process used for improving the surface integrity of components is presented in this chapter. In LMD, parts are manufactured directly from the 3-D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model data. Complex parts can be produced in a single step, which is impossible with the traditional manufacturing methods such as casting, cutting, and turning operations. The major steps required in the production of parts using the laser metal deposition process are highlighted. The flexibility offered by the LMD technique makes it an important surface engineering technique. Composite parts or parts whose surfaces are made of composite materials can also be produced in a single step because two or more dissimilar materials can be handled simultaneously in the LMD process to produce parts. This is because the building of parts in LMD is achieved by the LMD machine following the detail described by the CAD model of the part being made. The processing parameters affecting the properties of laser metal deposited parts are described in detail. This chapter establishes the ability of the LMD in the production of complex and one of its kind parts, its ability to improve surface properties, repair high-valued parts, and reduce the buy-to-fly ratio in the production of aerospace parts. It also highlights the use of non-traditional finishing techniques on laser deposited parts to further improve the surface integrity of components. The chapter is concluded by presenting a laser metal deposited Ti6Al4V/TiC composite. The laser metal deposited Ti6Al4V/TiC composite was characterized through the microstructure, microhardness, and wear resistance, and it was found that the resulting deposits were fully dense and of improved surface properties when compared to the parent materials.