Direct laser deposition of Cu alloy on forming tool surfaces—Process window and mechanical properties

Direct laser deposition offers a widespread spectrum of applications. Creating functional surfaces for forming tools is one of them where inexpensive material for the main tool body is complemented layer by layer with a second material to tune the desired properties and shape. Investigations on coating mild tool steel with copper alloy have been carried out to outline the chances and challenges in this cost effective way of producing forming tools for processing stainless steels, e.g. 1.4301. This paper reports on experimental investigations showing the influence of the absolute angle of the tool surface and the relative angle between surface and laser beam/powder nozzle on the process window and the mechanical properties that can be obtained.