What Final Performance Can Laser Cladding Achieve? A Buyer’s Guide to Hardness, Wear, Porosity, Dilution and Inspection

What Final Performance Can Laser Cladding Achieve? A Buyer’s Guide to Hardness, Wear, Porosity, Dilution and Inspection

Final laser cladding coating performance inspection with hardness testing, metallographic analysis and dimensional repair evaluation
For professional buyers, laser cladding performance must be defined by measurable acceptance criteria, not only by the phrase “it can be clad.”

Customers are rarely satisfied with the answer “yes, we can laser clad it.” That answer only confirms the process is possible. It does not confirm the final coating will survive.

Professional buyers want to know what performance can actually be achieved: hardness, HRC, HV hardness, hardness uniformity, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, service temperature, coating density, porosity, bond strength, metallurgical bonding, crack control, dilution rate, iron dilution, heat-affected zone depth, microstructure, carbide distribution and repeatability.

Those questions are not academic. They decide whether the repaired shaft, roll, valve seat, pump component, hydraulic rod or mining part will run for months, fail after machining or come back with a warranty dispute.

This guide explains final laser cladding coating performance from a buyer’s point of view. It helps you turn broad claims into measurable specifications and inspection evidence before you approve a quotation.

Short Answer: Final Performance Depends on Material, Substrate, Process Window and Inspection Method

Laser cladding can produce dense, metallurgically bonded coatings with controlled hardness, improved wear or corrosion resistance, relatively low dilution and a narrow heat-affected zone when the process is correctly engineered. Technical references such as TWI’s laser cladding overview describe laser cladding as a process that melts added material and a thin substrate layer to form a bonded coating.

But no responsible supplier should promise one universal hardness, one universal service life or one universal porosity value for every component. Final performance depends on the selected powder, base material, coating thickness, laser power, travel speed, powder feed rate, overlap, preheat, shielding, dilution, final machining and inspection method.

The right purchasing question is not only “what maximum performance can you achieve?” The better question is:

What performance can you achieve on my part, with my base material, my coating alloy, my geometry, my service condition and my acceptance criteria?

Why Final Coating Performance Must Be Specified Before Quotation

If performance requirements are not defined before quotation, buyer and supplier may be talking about different things. The supplier may quote a cosmetic build-up layer. The buyer may expect a certified wear-resistant coating with hardness map, low porosity, metallographic evidence and controlled dilution. Those are different projects.

Buyer asks Hidden decision behind the question Evidence the buyer may need
What hardness can you achieve? Which alloy and heat input will produce the required surface property? HRC/HV test method, hardness map, surface-to-substrate profile
How much longer will the component last? Can laboratory or field evidence support a service-life estimate? Wear test data, previous case history, operating condition comparison
What is the porosity? Is the coating dense enough for load, fatigue or corrosion service? Metallographic cross-section, image analysis, NDT where applicable
Is the coating metallurgically bonded? Will the coating behave as part of the component rather than a loose layer? Cross-section, bend/shear/pull test where applicable, interface inspection
What is the dilution rate? Will substrate mixing change the intended coating chemistry? Cross-section measurement, EDS line scan or chemical profile
How repeatable are the properties? Can the supplier reproduce the result across parts and batches? Process sheet, coupons, batch records, inspection reports

The conclusion is simple: performance should be quoted as measurable acceptance criteria, not as marketing language. “High hardness” is vague. “Finished coating hardness 52–58 HRC measured after grinding at five locations” is a specification.

What Hardness Can Laser Cladding Achieve?

Laser cladding hardness can vary widely because it depends on the alloy family and microstructure. Fe-based rebuild alloys, martensitic stainless steels, NiCrBSi alloys, cobalt-based Stellite-type alloys and tungsten carbide composite coatings all produce different hardness ranges. A soft corrosion-resistant Inconel 625 coating and a carbide-rich abrasion coating are not designed to have the same hardness.

Buyers often ask:

  • What hardness can you achieve?
  • What HRC can you achieve?
  • What HV hardness can you achieve?
  • Is hardness uniform throughout the layer?
  • What is the hardness profile from surface to substrate?

The practical answer is that hardness should be specified as a range, measurement method and location. HRC is common for harder industrial surfaces, while HV microhardness is often used for coating cross-sections, thin layers, hardness profiles and microstructure analysis. Converting between HRC and HV should be done carefully because conversion depends on material type and test conditions.

Hardness question What a useful answer should include Buyer caution
What HRC can you achieve? Finished surface hardness range, test load, number of locations and alloy used HRC may not be suitable for very thin layers or small features
What HV hardness can you achieve? Microhardness load, cross-section location and distance from surface/interface HV values can vary strongly across matrix, carbides and dilution zone
Is hardness uniform? Hardness map across surface and depth, including overlap zones Uniformity depends on powder feed, overlap, heat input and dilution
What is the hardness profile? Surface-to-substrate traverse through coating, dilution zone, HAZ and base metal A surface reading alone cannot show soft zones or brittle interface changes

A buyer should avoid asking for the highest possible hardness unless the application truly requires it. Higher hardness can increase wear resistance in abrasion, but it can also increase cracking risk, reduce toughness or make machining difficult.

Is Hardness Uniform Throughout the Layer?

Hardness is rarely perfectly uniform throughout a laser clad layer. The top surface, bead overlap zones, dilution zone, interface and heat-affected zone can all have different hardness. WC composite coatings may show very high local hardness at carbide particles and lower hardness in the matrix. Multi-layer cladding can also create different thermal histories between layers.

For critical parts, ask for a hardness profile from surface to substrate. This profile can show whether the finished surface meets the target hardness, whether the interface has a softened or brittle zone, and whether the substrate heat-affected zone changed in a way that affects performance.

A hardness map is especially useful for rolls, shafts, bearing seats, valve seats, hydraulic rods and wear bands where local soft spots can become failure starting points.

What Wear Resistance Improvement Can I Expect?

Wear resistance improvement depends on the wear mechanism. Abrasion, erosion, sliding wear, metal-to-metal wear, cavitation and combined wear-corrosion do not respond to the same coating. A WC composite coating may strongly improve dry abrasive wear but may not be the best answer for severe impact or chemical corrosion. A Ni-based corrosion alloy may resist a chemical environment well but may not be the hardest abrasion layer.

Buyers often ask:

  • What wear resistance improvement can I expect?
  • How much longer will the component last?
  • Do you have comparative wear test results?
  • Can you provide ASTM G65 test results?

The responsible answer is usually comparative, not absolute. A supplier may compare a clad sample against the original base material, a previous hardfacing alloy or another candidate coating under the same laboratory test. For low-stress abrasion, ASTM G65 is a common dry sand/rubber wheel test used to compare volume loss of metallic materials and coatings. It is useful for ranking abrasion resistance, but it does not simulate every service environment.

Wear question Best evidence Limitation Buyer conclusion
Abrasion resistance ASTM G65 or similar dry abrasion comparison Does not represent impact, slurry chemistry or high temperature by itself Useful for ranking candidates under controlled abrasion
Erosion resistance Erosion test with particle velocity, angle and medium defined Results depend heavily on particle angle and flow condition Ask for conditions that resemble your process
Sliding wear Pin-on-disc, block-on-ring or application-specific sliding test Counterface, lubrication and load change the result Specify mating material and lubricant
Cavitation Cavitation erosion test or service case in similar fluid conditions Surface finish and porosity strongly influence results Do not judge by hardness alone
Field life extension Similar application case history and operating hours No two plants run exactly the same conditions Use field life as estimate, not absolute guarantee

The buyer conclusion is that wear resistance should be supported by test conditions. A claim such as “three times longer life” is only meaningful if the original material, coating alloy, wear mechanism and operating condition are comparable.

Can You Provide ASTM G65 Test Results?

ASTM G65 is one of the most common abrasion tests buyers ask about. It uses dry sand and a rubber wheel to rank resistance to scratching abrasion. Results are usually reported by mass loss or volume loss. Lower volume loss means better resistance under that test condition.

For laser cladding buyers, ASTM G65 is useful when the service damage is low-stress abrasion from hard particles such as sand, ore, coal, cement raw material or mineral dust. It is less useful as the only evidence for impact wear, corrosion, cavitation, lubricated sliding or high-temperature erosion.

If asking for ASTM G65, also ask:

  • Which procedure was used?
  • What was the coating thickness after finishing?
  • Was the test surface machined or ground?
  • What was the comparator material?
  • Was volume loss corrected for density?
  • Were microstructure and hardness checked on the tested coating?

A test report without procedure and sample details is easy to misread. The useful result is comparative wear loss under a defined condition.

What Corrosion Resistance Can Laser Cladding Achieve?

Corrosion resistance depends mainly on coating chemistry, dilution, porosity, cracks, surface finish and service environment. Nickel-based alloys such as Inconel 625 or Hastelloy-type systems are often selected for corrosion service. Stainless and cobalt-based alloys may also be considered depending on medium and temperature.

The most important buyer caution is dilution. If a corrosion-resistant powder is heavily diluted by iron from the substrate, the final chemistry may not deliver the expected corrosion performance. Porosity and cracks can also create local corrosion paths to the base metal.

For corrosion-critical parts, ask for the chemical medium, temperature, concentration, pH, chloride level, pressure, flow velocity and whether the coating will be exposed to cyclic wet/dry or thermal conditions. A supplier should not recommend corrosion performance from alloy name alone.

What Maximum Service Temperature Can the Coating Withstand?

Maximum service temperature depends on coating alloy, base material, load, atmosphere, thermal cycling and required property retention. Ni-based and Co-based alloys are often used for elevated temperature service because they can offer oxidation resistance, hot hardness or high-temperature strength. Fe-based hard coatings may soften or oxidize depending on chemistry and temperature.

A useful temperature answer should include:

  • continuous versus intermittent temperature;
  • oxidizing, reducing, corrosive or dry atmosphere;
  • mechanical load at temperature;
  • thermal cycling frequency;
  • base material temperature limit;
  • acceptable hardness or wear loss after exposure.

If a buyer asks “Can it withstand 600°C?”, the supplier should ask “in what atmosphere, under what load, for how long, and with what acceptance criterion?” That is not evasion; that is engineering.

What Is Coating Density and Porosity?

Laser cladding can produce dense coatings when powder, shielding, melt pool and process parameters are controlled. Porosity is usually measured by metallographic cross-section and image analysis, or by other methods depending on part geometry and specification.

Porosity matters because pores reduce load-bearing area, can initiate fatigue cracks, trap corrosive media and reduce sealing performance. For hydraulic rods, valve seats, bearing seats, pump components and corrosion coatings, low porosity may be more important than maximum hardness.

Buyers should ask whether the porosity requirement is measured before or after machining, at how many cross-sections and whether surface-connected pores are treated differently from isolated internal pores.

What Is the Bond Strength? Is the Coating Metallurgically Bonded?

Laser cladding is normally selected because it can create metallurgical bonding between the coating and substrate. This is different from a purely mechanical attachment. The laser melts the added material and a thin surface layer of the substrate, creating a bonded interface.

However, “metallurgically bonded” should not be accepted as a magic phrase. The interface can still fail if there is lack of fusion, oxide contamination, excessive stress, brittle phases, poor dilution control or cracks. Bond quality is usually evaluated by cross-section, bend testing, shear/pull testing where applicable, metallography, NDT or service-specific qualification.

Bonding question Useful answer Buyer caution
Is the coating metallurgically bonded? Yes, if process parameters create controlled fusion at the interface Ask for proof on your material and geometry, not only a general claim
What is the bond strength? Depends on coating, substrate, test method and specimen geometry Bond strength numbers are only comparable when the same test method is used
Can the coating peel off? It should not peel if bonding, stress and service load are controlled Peeling can occur from lack of fusion, contamination, cracking or overload
Can the coating delaminate? Delamination risk is managed by surface preparation, process control and inspection Thick, brittle or highly stressed coatings need careful design

The buyer should define how bond quality will be accepted. For many production repairs, a macro cross-section plus hardness and visual/NDT inspection may be enough. For critical parts, more formal testing may be required.

Will the Coating Crack? Are Microcracks Acceptable?

Cracking depends on alloy brittleness, coating thickness, carbide content, base material, thermal stress, preheat, interpass control, cooling rate and service load. Some hard wear-resistant coatings may show fine microcracks. In certain hardfacing-style wear applications, controlled microcracking may be tolerated. In corrosion, fatigue, pressure, sealing, hydraulic or cyclic-load applications, microcracks may be unacceptable because they can become corrosion paths or fatigue initiation sites.

Therefore, the correct answer is not “microcracks are always acceptable” or “microcracks are always forbidden.” The correct answer depends on the application and inspection standard.

Application type Microcrack tolerance Reason
Dry abrasion wear surface Sometimes acceptable if controlled and not connected to delamination Some very hard coatings trade toughness for abrasion resistance
Corrosion-resistant coating Usually not acceptable Cracks can expose the substrate to corrosive media
Hydraulic rod or sealing surface Usually not acceptable Cracks and pores can damage seals and leak paths
Fatigue-loaded shaft Usually not acceptable Cracks can initiate fatigue failure
Valve seat or pump sealing area Generally strict control required Surface integrity affects sealing, erosion and corrosion

How do you control cracking? By selecting a suitable alloy, controlling heat input, using preheat where needed, managing interpass temperature, reducing excessive layer thickness, using buffer layers where appropriate, controlling dilution and inspecting after cladding and machining.

What Is Dilution Rate? How Low Can Dilution Be?

Dilution is the amount of substrate material mixed into the cladding layer. Some dilution is necessary because metallurgical bonding requires fusion at the interface. Excessive dilution can reduce coating hardness, corrosion resistance, carbide content and designed chemistry. Too little fusion can create lack of bonding.

Laser cladding is valued partly because it can achieve relatively low dilution compared with many higher-heat-input overlay processes. Reviews and technical discussions frequently describe laser cladding as a process with low dilution and a small heat-affected zone. A Fraunhofer publication on direct laser cladding notes that a heat-affected zone is still formed and may alter the substrate microstructure depending on the material and thermal cycle.

Buyers often ask:

  • What is the dilution rate?
  • How low can dilution be?
  • What is the iron dilution?

The answer should be tied to coating alloy and substrate. For a nickel corrosion coating on carbon steel, iron dilution is especially important because excessive Fe can reduce corrosion resistance. For a hard wear coating, dilution may reduce hardness or carbide fraction. Dilution can be estimated from cross-section geometry, chemical analysis or EDS line scans depending on the requirement.

What Is the Heat-Affected Zone Depth?

The heat-affected zone, or HAZ, is the substrate region affected by heat but not melted into the coating. HAZ depth depends on laser power, travel speed, spot size, preheat, number of layers, base material and part geometry. In hardenable steels, the HAZ may harden or soften. In heat-treated components, the HAZ can affect original mechanical properties.

Fraunhofer’s direct laser cladding discussion reports that HAZ can occur in a typical depth range of about 100 to 1000 µm depending on material and process conditions. This should be treated as a general reference range, not a guarantee for every part. Your actual HAZ must be verified if it matters to the application.

For bearing seats, precision shafts, heat-treated steel, molds, dies and fatigue-loaded parts, buyers should ask whether HAZ hardness will be measured and whether final machining will remove or expose affected zones.

What Microstructure Is Achieved?

Microstructure is the internal structure of the coating: grains, dendrites, carbides, matrix phases, precipitates, dilution zone, pores, cracks and interface quality. Laser cladding often produces rapid solidification, which can refine microstructure, but the actual result depends on alloy and process parameters.

Microstructure matters because it explains performance. Two coatings may have similar hardness but different carbide distribution, porosity, cracks or dilution. One may survive while the other fails.

For WC composite coatings, carbide distribution is especially important. If carbides settle, dissolve, cluster or become exposed unevenly after machining, wear behavior can change. For corrosion coatings, microstructure and dilution influence local corrosion behavior.

Can You Provide Metallographic, SEM and EDS Analysis?

Yes, these analyses can be provided when the project requires them, usually through internal lab capability or third-party testing. The buyer should understand what each method tells them.

Analysis method What it shows When buyer should request it
Metallographic cross-section Layer thickness, bonding, dilution zone, pores, cracks, HAZ and general microstructure Almost any critical coating qualification or new process window
SEM analysis Higher-magnification microstructure, defects, carbide morphology and fracture features Failure analysis, carbide coatings, critical wear or corrosion applications
EDS analysis Elemental distribution, iron dilution, alloy chemistry trend and carbide/matrix chemistry Corrosion coatings, Ni-based coatings on steel, WC dissolution questions
Carbide distribution measurement WC survival, clustering, dissolution and matrix distribution Severe abrasion coatings and Ni + WC or Fe + WC systems
Hardness map Hardness variation across surface, overlap, depth and interface Rolls, shafts, sealing surfaces, multi-layer repairs and critical wear bands

The buyer conclusion is that advanced analysis should be tied to risk. A low-risk rebuild may not need SEM/EDS. A critical corrosion coating, WC composite or first-article qualification may absolutely justify it.

How Repeatable Are the Coating Properties?

Repeatability is the difference between a successful sample and a reliable production process. Laser cladding properties can change with powder batch, powder feed rate, nozzle condition, laser focus, shielding gas, travel speed, overlap, preheat, part temperature and operator setup. Small parameter changes can affect dilution, hardness, porosity and microstructure.

To evaluate repeatability, ask for:

  • qualified process parameters;
  • powder batch control;
  • feed-rate calibration records;
  • sample coupon results;
  • hardness map or inspection report;
  • dimensional inspection after machining;
  • NDT results where required;
  • previous similar application data.

For equipment projects, repeatability also depends on machine design, motion control, powder delivery and monitoring. When evaluating a laser cladding machine or high-speed laser cladding machine, buyers should compare not only laser power, but also powder feeding accuracy, nozzle design, path control and process documentation.

Performance Specification Matrix

The table below converts common buyer performance questions into measurable quotation and inspection items. This is the kind of specification that prevents misunderstanding.

Performance item How to specify it How to verify it Why it matters
Hardness HRC or HV range, test method, load, locations, after machining Hardness tester, microhardness traverse, hardness map Controls wear resistance and detects soft or brittle zones
Wear resistance Comparative test and operating wear mechanism ASTM G65, erosion test, sliding wear test or field case Links coating selection to service life
Corrosion resistance Medium, temperature, chemistry and acceptance test Salt spray, immersion, electrochemical or application-specific test Prevents false confidence from alloy name alone
Porosity Maximum allowable area %, inspection location and method Metallography, image analysis, NDT where suitable Affects fatigue, corrosion, sealing and load capacity
Bond quality No lack of fusion, acceptable interface condition, test requirement Cross-section, bend/shear/pull test, NDT or coupon Prevents peeling and delamination
Cracking Allowed or not allowed, crack size, location and inspection method Visual, dye penetrant, metallography, microscopy Controls fatigue, corrosion and coating integrity
Dilution Target or maximum dilution, Fe content if relevant Cross-section, EDS line scan, chemistry check Protects intended coating chemistry and properties
HAZ Maximum affected depth or hardness change if critical Cross-section and hardness profile Protects heat-treated substrates and fatigue-loaded parts
Microstructure Required phase, carbide distribution or defect condition Metallography, SEM, EDS Explains performance beyond hardness
Repeatability Process records and batch acceptance criteria Inspection reports across parts or coupons Shows the supplier can reproduce the result

How Much Longer Will the Component Last?

This is the question every buyer wants answered. It is also the question that must be handled carefully. Laser cladding can extend component life significantly when the coating solves the real failure mechanism. But exact life improvement depends on operating load, maintenance practice, lubrication, alignment, temperature, contamination, wear medium, process interruptions and whether the original failure was truly surface-related.

A supplier can give a credible estimate when there is:

  • similar previous application data;
  • clear comparison against the original material;
  • laboratory wear test results under relevant conditions;
  • known operating hours and failure mode;
  • inspection of the worn component before repair;
  • agreement on what “end of life” means.

Be careful with claims such as “5 times life” without context. Five times under ASTM G65 abrasion is not automatically five times in a wet slurry pump with corrosion and impact.

When Not to Demand the Maximum Number

Professional buyers sometimes make the mistake of asking for maximum hardness, minimum dilution, zero microcracks, maximum WC content and lowest price all at once. Real coating design is a balance.

  • Maximum hardness may reduce toughness or machinability.
  • Extremely low dilution may risk lack of fusion if not properly controlled.
  • Very high WC content may increase cracking and reduce matrix support.
  • Zero visible defects may require higher inspection cost and more process qualification.
  • Maximum service temperature is meaningless without atmosphere, load and duration.

The best specification is not the most aggressive number. It is the performance range that solves the application with acceptable risk and cost.

Common Buying Mistakes

  • Accepting “high hardness” without a test method. Without HRC/HV method, load, location and timing after machining, hardness claims are difficult to compare and easy to misunderstand.
  • Expecting service-life guarantees without operating data. A supplier cannot responsibly predict life extension without knowing wear mechanism, load, medium, temperature and failure history.
  • Using ASTM G65 as proof for every wear condition. ASTM G65 is useful for dry abrasion ranking, but it does not represent corrosion, cavitation, impact or lubricated sliding by itself.
  • Ignoring dilution in corrosion coatings. Excess iron dilution can weaken the intended corrosion-resistant chemistry, even when the coating surface looks acceptable.
  • Treating microcracks as always acceptable. Microcracks may be tolerable in some hard abrasion coatings, but they can be dangerous for corrosion, fatigue, hydraulic and sealing applications.
  • Not asking for hardness profile or HAZ data on heat-treated parts. The surface may pass while the substrate or interface has softened, hardened or become crack-sensitive.
  • Over-specifying advanced testing on low-risk jobs. SEM/EDS and extensive metallography are valuable, but they should match project risk and cost.
  • Assuming one successful coupon equals production repeatability. Repeatability requires controlled powder, parameters, machine setup and inspection records.

Buyer Checklist

  • What hardness range is required after final machining? The finished surface is what enters service, so hardness should be measured after turning, grinding or polishing.
  • Should hardness be reported in HRC, HV or both? HRC is common for finished hard surfaces; HV is useful for cross-sections, thin layers and hardness profiles.
  • Do we need a hardness map? Large rolls, shafts and wear bands may have local soft spots if powder feed, overlap or heat input varies.
  • What wear mechanism should the test represent? Abrasion, erosion, sliding, cavitation and wear-corrosion require different evidence.
  • Is ASTM G65 relevant to our service condition? It is useful for dry abrasion ranking, but not a complete predictor for all wear environments.
  • What porosity level is acceptable? Porosity affects fatigue, corrosion, sealing and hydraulic performance, so the acceptable level depends on application risk.
  • How will metallurgical bonding be verified? Cross-section, coupon testing or NDT may be needed to prove the coating is not at risk of peeling or delamination.
  • Are microcracks allowed? The answer should depend on whether the part faces abrasion, corrosion, fatigue, pressure or sealing duty.
  • What dilution or iron dilution limit is needed? Dilution affects chemistry, hardness and corrosion performance, especially for nickel coatings on steel.
  • Does the HAZ matter for this base material? Heat-treated steels, precision shafts, molds and fatigue-loaded parts may need HAZ hardness verification.
  • Do we need metallography, SEM or EDS? Advanced analysis is valuable for critical parts, WC coatings, corrosion coatings and first-article qualification.
  • What evidence proves repeatability? Ask for process records, powder batch control, inspection reports and similar application history.

What to Send for a Performance Proposal or RFQ

To make a realistic performance proposal, a supplier needs information about the part, operating condition and acceptance criteria.

RFQ information Why it matters Useful format
Component drawing and photos Defines geometry, coating area, machining allowance and inspection points Drawing, photos with scale, worn area marks
Base material and heat treatment Affects hardness profile, cracking risk, HAZ and dilution Material certificate, grade, hardness record
Failure mechanism Determines whether hardness, corrosion, toughness or carbide distribution matters most Wear photos, failure report, operating history
Operating condition Controls alloy selection and service-life estimate Temperature, load, speed, medium, slurry, impact, lubrication
Required final performance Prevents vague “good coating” expectations Hardness range, coating thickness, porosity, dilution, NDT, surface finish
Test or report requirement Determines cost, schedule and acceptance evidence ASTM G65, metallography, SEM/EDS, hardness map, corrosion test
Previous service life Allows realistic comparison and life-extension estimate Operating hours, failure interval, maintenance records

HALDEN can help review performance requirements for mobile robotic laser cladding equipment, workshop repair, equipment rebuilds, and related hardfacing service decisions where laser cladding must be compared with other surface restoration methods.

Final Recommendation

Laser cladding performance should be defined by measurable results: hardness range, hardness profile, wear test, corrosion requirement, porosity, bond quality, crack acceptance, dilution, HAZ, microstructure, carbide distribution and repeatability. The exact numbers depend on material, substrate, geometry and service condition.

Do not stop at “can be laser clad.” Ask what the final coating must prove after cladding and after machining. A strong supplier will help turn broad requirements into realistic inspection criteria. A weak supplier will only promise maximum hardness or long life without explaining the test basis.

If you need a performance recommendation, send HALDEN the component drawing, base material, operating environment, wear photos, previous life, final dimensions and any required tests such as hardness map, ASTM G65, metallography, SEM, EDS or porosity evaluation. We can help define a coating specification that is practical to produce and meaningful in service.

Technical References

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