Preliminary Experimental Study of Warm Ultrasonic Impact-assisted Laser Metal Deposition

A preliminary experimental study on “warm ultrasonic impact-assisted laser metal deposition” (WUI-LMD) is reported, and such a study is rare in literatures to the authors' knowledge. In WUI-LMD, an ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) tip is placed near laser spot for in-situ treatment of laser-deposited warm solid material, and the UIT and LMD processes proceed simultaneously. Under the conditions investigated, it is found that in-situ UIT during WUI-LMD can be much more effective in reducing porosity than a post-process UIT. Possible underlying mechanisms are analyzed. WUI-LMD has a great potential to reduce defects and improve mechanical properties without increasing manufacturing time.