What is the difference between laser cladding and laser welding?

What is the difference between laser cladding and laser welding?

Laser cladding and laser welding are both methods of processing materials using a laser beam, but they differ in their basic principles and application scenarios.

Laser welding uses a laser beam to fuse two or more workpieces together to form a strong weld. Laser welding is mainly used in metallic and non-metallic materials that require high-strength connections, such as automotive and aircraft components, electronic equipment, medical devices, etc.

Laser cladding is the use of a laser beam to melt the surface of a workpiece at a high temperature, causing the powder or wire material to fuse to form a coating or build-up layer on the surface to increase the hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and other properties of the workpiece surface. Laser cladding is mainly used in aerospace, energy, military and other fields, such as aero-engine blades, gas turbine blades, turbine blades, turbine blades and other high-end components.