Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has developed a laser cladding technology for restoring sealing and working surfaces of pressure-sensitive equipment. The project was implemented by specialists from the Laser and Additive Technologies Research Laboratory at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport.
The development is aimed at restoring the sealing and working surfaces of equipment operated under pressure, primarily pipeline valve flanges.
The work was carried out as part of a research project dedicated to increasing the service life and reliability of industrial equipment. The study involved samples of 09G2S, 15Kh5M, and 12Kh18N10T steel, as well as prototype flanges for equipment and pipelines.
In the current environment, the issue of technological sovereignty in the oil, gas, and energy industries is more pressing than ever. Our engineers' development is a direct response to the challenge of import substitution. Laser cladding allows for the restoration of critical pipeline valve assemblies to as-new condition, ensuring Russian companies' complete independence from foreign service solutions and spare parts, shared Anatoly Popovich, Director of the Institute of Metallurgical Engineering and Technology.
The key objective of the project was to develop technological solutions that would effectively restore worn surfaces with minimal allowance for subsequent machining, without the need for complete replacement of parts. This approach significantly reduces operating costs and improves the cost-effectiveness of equipment repair.
During the research and development work, laboratory specialists completed a full cycle of technological and experimental studies. Specifically, they developed a laser cladding technology for six base metal–cladding material combinations, covering the most common restoration scenarios. For each pair of materials, laser cladding samples were produced, followed by a series of mechanical tests.
Particular attention was paid to the corrosion resistance of the fusion zone and deposited coatings. Tests were conducted for various types of corrosion, including general, pitting, intergranular, and stress corrosion. The practical significance of the work was confirmed by testing the developed modes on flange prototypes.
"We're focused on developing technologically proven solutions that can be implemented in industrial practice. Laser cladding allows us not only to restore the geometry of parts but also to create coatings with specified performance properties," noted Mikhail Kuznetsov, head of the Laser and Additive Technologies Research Laboratory at IMMIT SPbPU.
Based on the results of the work, a list of recommended equipment for implementing laser cladding technology in industrial conditions was compiled, and process maps and recommendations for restoring the sealing surfaces of flanges of vessels, apparatuses, and pipelines were developed.
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