Schweißen, Härten und Beschichten mit Hochleistungsdiodenlasern

High-power diode lasers are compact and have a very high efficiency. This opens new possibilities in welding and surface technologies. Whenever the welding seam has to show an excellent surface quality, high- power diode lasers can be a substitute for common technologies like TIG- and MAG-welding. Laser hardening of steel and laser cladding of protection layers are well developed laser surface technologies. However, the high operating costs-due to the very low efficiency of CO(sub 2)- or Nd:YAG-lasers-are a drawback of that technologies, preventing a wider spread in industrial applications. Hence, the high- power diode laser can be the kick-off for lasers in surface technologies. In the following paper some applications of welding, hardening of steel, and cladding of Stellite, WC/Ni und Al(sub 2)O(sub 3) on steel and aluminum are presented.