Laser Cladding. Now available at HVT.
Laser Cladding. Now available at HVT.
A downed commercial fishing vessel needed its propeller shaft back in service fast. Based on pre-receival photos, the repair looked straightforward. Once the shaft arrived and was stripped, it was a different story. An existing coating had been hiding extensive corrosion, and sections of the shaft were approaching the recovery limit, up to 4mm undersize in spots.
HVT restored the damaged bearing and propeller interfaces without distortion or cutting below critical dimensions, completing the job in three and a half working days within a sub-five-day outage window.
Once the coating was removed, the risks became clear.
One surface needed ductility and corrosion resistance. The adjacent surface needed hardness and corrosion resistance for white metal bearings. HVT resolved the functional clash and returned both surfaces to specification.
HVT carried out rapid material analysis, then engineered a multi-layer rebuild plan with precise spray paths and deposit targets. Controlled spot welding was used to stabilise the surface and limit how much material had to be removed. Where the shaft was uneven, additional build was applied to restore full roundness without over-machining.
Just as important, the transition between dissimilar materials was blended and sealed to prevent seawater ingress and reduce galvanic risk.
This repair was a test of material discipline and interface control in a harsh seawater environment. It proved that a properly engineered, multi-zone restoration can return near-limit shafts to reliable service without distortion, rework or replacement.
Got a corroded shaft or bearing surface holding your vessel up? Send HVT the photos and key dimensions and we’ll tell you what’s recoverable and how fast we can return it to service.
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