What is weld overlay cladding?

Weld overlay cladding is a welding process that involves depositing metal with selected properties onto the surface of a weldment through welding, either to increase its size, restore it, or provide a specific coating. This process involves the use of a welding heat source to form a surface metallurgical bond between the base material and the deposited metal.

The purpose of weld overlay cladding is not to join parts but to deposit one or more layers of material with desired properties. This allows for the creation of a desired coating with unique characteristics such as wear resistance, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance.

There are four main categories of weld overlays:

1. Wear-resistant weld overlay cladding: Used to reduce abrasive wear, corrosion, impact, or cavitation on the surface of the weldment.
2. Cladding: Depositing a certain thickness of filler metal on a carbon steel or alloy steel base material for corrosion resistance.
3. Barrier weld overlay cladding: When welding different materials, there may be special requirements. To ensure the quality and performance of the joint, the base material must be isolated beforehand.
4. Thickening the surface: Adding metal to the surface of a weldment, the seam edge, or to restore the desired dimensions of a component.

Why is weld overlay cladding necessary?
The most widespread applications of weld overlay cladding are in roller surface repair and blade restoration.

Weld overlay cladding is a welding process that covers the welding surface of a workpiece with materials possessing specific properties. Its objective is to restore the hardness of the outer surface of the workpiece or to increase its external dimensions.

After the welding layer of the workpiece material wears out, re-welding can enhance the service life of the entire part.

Weld overlay cladding saves manufacturing and maintenance costs, reduces the time required for repairs and replacements of entire parts, minimizes production downtime and production losses, and lowers overall production costs.

Weld overlay cladding allows for better utilization of materials to achieve excellent comprehensive performance, which is also significant for improving product design. The content of surfacing welding mainly includes two aspects: welding alloys and welding processes.