Spherical gas-atomized Ni60 for laser cladding — metallurgical bond, < 5% dilution, chrome-plating replacement. WC-reinforced blends available. Lot-certified flow and chemistry.
QUICK ANSWER
Ni60 laser cladding powder is a nickel-chromium-boron-silicon self-fluxing alloy optimized for laser deposition, producing 58-62 HRC wear-resistant layers with strong metallurgical bonding and dilution below 5 percent. It is the most widely used laser cladding powder in China and globally for hardfacing shafts, hydraulic rods, valve components, and mining equipment — the laser-process counterpart of the classic spray-fuse NiCrBSi family.
The laser cladding version of Ni60 differs from the spray grade in particle engineering: spherical gas-atomized morphology for reliable pneumatic feeding through fine cladding nozzles, a tighter size cut, and chemistry adjusted for rapid laser melting rather than torch fusing. The deposited layer keeps the family's signature combination — chromium borides and carbides in a tough nickel matrix — but with the low dilution, low distortion, and near-net geometry that only laser processing delivers, often eliminating the need for post-weld stress relief.
MATERIAL DATA
Lot-level controls focus on the chemistry, particle characteristics, and process values that influence manufacturing consistency and finished-part performance.
| Element | Content | Performance Role |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | Balance (> 65 wt%) | Tough, corrosion-resistant matrix carrying the hard phases |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14-17 wt% | Forms CrB and Cr7C3 hard phases; boosts oxidation resistance |
| Boron (B) | 3.0-4.5 wt% | Self-fluxing agent and boride former — the main hardness contributor |
| Silicon (Si) | 3.5-5.0 wt% | Melting-point depressant ensuring smooth laser melting and wetting |
| Iron (Fe) | < 10 wt% | Cost-balancing addition with minor hardness penalty |
Final limits can be aligned with the agreed purchase specification.
APPLICATIONS
Hydraulic equipment is the largest single market: excavator and press hydraulic rods clad with Ni60 replace hard chrome with a layer that bonds metallurgically, resists impact spalling, and survives the side-loading that cracks chrome. Chinese and European remanufacturers now specify laser-clad Ni60 as the default rod overhaul route, buying powder in pallet quantities on flow consistency and crack-free deposit guarantees. The same logic applies to pump shafts, plunger pistons, and seal journals across process industries.
Mining and heavy machinery form the second pillar: coal mine hydraulic prop cylinders, roadheader picks holders, crusher components, and conveyor drive shafts are clad with Ni60 or WC-reinforced Ni60 to survive abrasive overburden service. Here the laser process's low heat input matters as much as the alloy — thin-walled cylinders and heat-treated shaft substrates cannot tolerate torch fusing temperatures, and laser cladding deposits the wear layer without destroying the component's core properties.
LASER CLADDING & DIRECTED ENERGY REPAIR POWDERS
CUSTOM SUPPLY
We supply Ni60 in spherical gas-atomized form, standard 45-106 µm and high-speed-cladding 20-53 µm cuts, with Hall flow and chemistry certification per lot. WC-reinforced blends (Ni60 + 25-35% WC) for extreme abrasion, lower-hardness Ni45/Ni55 laser grades for machinable deposits, and custom boron levels for crack sensitivity control on difficult substrates are available. Not export-controlled.
We supply Ni60 in spherical gas-atomized form, standard 45-106 µm and high-speed-cladding 20-53 µm cuts, with Hall flow and chemistry certification per lot.
WC-reinforced blends (Ni60 + 25-35% WC) for extreme abrasion, lower-hardness Ni45/Ni55 laser grades for machinable deposits, and custom boron levels for crack sensitivity control on difficult substrates are available.
MATERIAL COMPARISON
| Comparison Point | This Product | Hard Chrome Plating |
|---|---|---|
| Bond type | Metallurgical — will not spall | Adhesive — spalls under impact and bending |
| Hardness | 58-62 HRC, plus hard boride phases | 66-70 HRC but no hard-phase reinforcement |
| Thickness capability | 0.3-3 mm — rebuilds worn parts | 20-100 µm — dimension-limited |
| Environmental compliance | Clean process | Hexavalent chromium — restricted under REACH |
| Side-load / impact service | Excellent | Poor — microcracking |
| Cost per overhaul | Competitive at damage rebuild | Cheap for new-part protection only |
TECHNICAL FAQ
Need a different chemistry, particle range, or processing route? Our material team can review the requirement and supply window.
On large parts, high-carbon or cast iron substrates, and whenever ambient temperature is low, 200-350 °C preheat reduces thermal stress and prevents cracking. Ni45 or Fe-based grades are the alternative when preheat is impractical.
Yes with care — preheat and a ductile Ni45 buffer layer are recommended because cast iron's carbon migrates into the deposit. Many shops standardize on a two-layer Ni45 + Ni60 system for cast iron.
Ni60 runs well on standard 2-6 kW fiber lasers at 0.8-2.0 kW/mm² power density with argon shielding. High-speed cladding systems use the finer 20-53 µm cut at higher traverse speeds for thinner, smoother layers.
Same alloy family, different process physics: laser cladding gives lower dilution, minimal distortion, no need to heat the whole part, and better precision — but spray-fuse remains cheaper for large simple surfaces. Many shops run both.
No. Nickel-based cladding powders ship without licensing requirements.
RELATED PRODUCTS
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