Overview

Heavy engineering industries use various big and expensive components like a Turbo shaft. Localised wear or other damage on a critical location can lead to scrapping the entire component. A turbo shaft is such component which gets wear on the bearing seat area. Refurbishment was done by removing the damaged layer and rebuilding a new clad layer using the laser clad deposition method. A cobalt-based powder was chosen for the refurbishment to improve the wear properties and enhance the life of the refurbished component. Defect-free coating of 1.8 mm thickness across the contour of the seating area was produced by diode laser cladding with the following characteristics: 

  1. UT-defect free
  2. ~ 0.6 mm finish grinding allowance
  3. ~ 0.6% porosity
  4. Micro-hardness 500-550 HV
  5. Dilution of base metal into clad ~ 8%.

Key Features

  1. Negligible porosity
  2. Controlled heat input
  3. Minimal heat-affected region
  4. Precise and controlled process
  5. No distortion

Potential Applications

  1. Turbo shafts
  2. Steam turbine and gas turbines

Status

  1. The refurbished shaft was used by the end user and demonstrated excellent performance

Intellectual Property Development Index (IPDI)

Level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Description Basic concepts and understanding of underlying scientific principles Shortlisting possible applications Research to prove technical feasibility for targeted application Coupon level testing in simulated conditions Check repeatability/consistency Prototype testing in real-life conditions Check repeatability/consistency Reassessing feasibility (IP, competition technology, commercial) Initiate technology transfer Support in stabilizing production
Status

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