Recent Trends in Laser Cladding and Surface Alloying

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, surface engineering has garnered significant attention and interest from scientists, engineers, and industries due to its exceptional potential for enhancing the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of materials. Laser cladding and surface alloying have emerged as potent technologies for customizing material surfaces, facilitating the development of components with enhanced performance characteristics, extended service life, and improved resistance to wear, fatigue, corrosion, and erosion.

Laser cladding involves the precise deposition of a specialized alloy or coating material onto a substrate through the controlled melting and solidification of the substrate's surface using a high-intensity laser beam. This process enables the creation of intricate, multi-layered structures with exceptional microstructural control, thereby enhancing the material's surface properties.

Surface alloying aims to introduce specific elements into the near-surface region of a material, thereby modifying its composition and properties at the atomic level. This can be achieved through various methods, such as diffusion-based processes, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and laser surface alloying.

Recent trends in laser cladding and surface alloying have been driven by a convergence of factors, including advancements in laser technology, automation, and computational modeling. These trends encompass a variety of applications, ranging from the aerospace and automotive industries to the energy, biomedical, and defense sectors, each presenting unique demands and challenges that have catalyzed innovation and exploration in this field.

The aim of this Special Issue is to assemble a collection of in-depth articles that will serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers, engineers, and professionals interested in the latest advancements and applications of laser cladding and surface alloying.

Dr. Tai-Cheng Chen
Dr. Tai-Nan Lin
Guest Editors

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• laser cladding
• surface alloying
• laser welding
• carburizing
• nitriding
• physical vapor deposition (PVD)
• chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
• surface repairing