Laser Overlay Welding of Graded Layers

Graded materials are increasingly commonly used as structural materials in many advanced engineering structures. These materials are usually characterised by the gradual change of a specific functional parameter, usually in the direction of thickness. The article presents the general characteristics of graded metals and their manufacturing methods. On the basis of selected results of author’s own research it was possible to determine the possibility of making graded layers using powder-based laser overlay welding.