Improving the wear resistance of copper tools for pressure die casting by laser melt injection

Abstract Highly conductive copper alloys are used for various tools in casting and welding technology. In pressure die casting, pistons pressing the metal melt into a die. The high thermal conductivity of these allows short process times as result cooling rates. Due to poor wear resistance, occurs on running surface causing spurt out shot sleeve. order improve service life pistons, new approach was taken: reinforcement with fused tungsten carbide (FTC) particles by laser injection (LMI) at velocities. FTC provides hardness between 2700 HV 0.1 3500 0.1. During LMI, pool is induced substrate beam filler material injected this powder nozzle. contrast cladding, remains solid state works matrix material. Thereby, specific properties substrate—e.g. conductivity—can be preserved within layer. It shown that particle reduced 69–75%. Abrasion adhesion were identified dominant mechanisms. run-in behavior reinforced non-reinforced parts determined.