Abstract
In this study, pure spherical Ta powders made by induced plasma sphero technique were used in the laser cladding process. The powders were sent into high-energy laser zone and were melted at the surface of a steel substrate to create a Ta layer. The microstructure development in the Ta layer was investigated in a scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the layer was basically dense with some pore/crack defects. In the layer, typical dendritic crystalline structures were formed. With the help of an energy dispersive spectroscope, Fe was detected in the Ta layer. The top surface had about 5% Fe while at the bottom of the cladded layer 15% Fe was detected. So, the diffusion of Fe upwards occurred. With the participant of Fe, the microstructure of the Ta layer was changed. Thermocalc software was used to simulate the phase constitution at different Ta-Fe compositions. The results by the simulation basically agreed with the experimental observations.
