Laser Deposit Surface Control Using Select Fluxes and Electrochemistry

摘要

Method and apparatus (20) for forming a smooth metal surface (42) on a metal substrate (22). A melt pool (32) solidifying under a layer of molten electrolytic slag (34) on the metal substrate is subjected to a DC current (12) between a cathode (28) in contact with the molten slag and the substrate, thereby causing anodic leveling of the surface. The cathode may be buried in a layer of flux material (26) which is melted by a laser beam (30) traversing the substrate. A filler material (24) may be melted coincidently in an additive process. The flux material includes electrolytic, optically transmissive and viscosity reducing constituents.

主权项

1. An arrangement comprising:
a laser beam that creates a metal melt pool as it traverses across a metal substrate; a flux that forms an electrolytic liquid slag on the melt pool at a liquid temperature of the melt pool and remains liquid on a solidified metal formed by solidification of the melt pool as the laser beam traverses; and an electrical circuit comprising a cathode in contact with the liquid slag and a connection to the substrate that makes the solidified metal an anode; wherein anodic leveling of a surface of the solidified metal is enabled during a period when the liquid slag remains liquid thereon.