Laser surface melting AZ31B magnesium alloy with liquid nitrogen-assisted cooling

Laser surface melting（LSM） is a high-energy surface treatment that allows modification of the microstructure and surface properties of Mg alloys. In the present work, an attempt of LSM on magnesium alloy with liquid nitrogen-assisted cooling（LNSC） was carried out to get the higher cooling rate and improve the surface properties. The experimental results were compared with those of Ar gas protection at room temperature. The samples after LSM with LNSC resulted in a thinner melted layer, a highly homogeneous, refined melted microstructure and formed a lot of worm-like nanocrystals and local amorphous structures. Microhardness of the melted layer with LNAC was improved to HV 90-148 as compared to HV 65-105 of the samples with Ar gas protection. The corrosion resistance of the melted layer in a 3.5% Na Cl solution（mass fraction） was improved because of the grain refinement and redistribution of β-Mg17Al12 phases following rapid quenching associated with the process.

Effect of laser surface melting on surface integrity of Al-4.5Cu composites reinforced with SiC and MoS2

Two types of composites were prepared with Al-4.5Cu alloy as a matrix using stir casting method.One was reinforced with 10wt.%of Si C and 2wt.%of MoS2.The other was reinforced with 10wt.%of Si C and 4wt.%of MoS2.Their surfaces were remelted using a CO2 laser beam with an objective to study the influence of laser surface melting(LSM).The topography,microhardness,corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the laser melted surfaces were studied.Overall surface integrity after LSM was compared with as-cast surface.LSM enhanced the microhardness and wear resistance of the surface in each case.Porosity of the laser melted surface was low and corrosion resistance was high.Thus,LSM can be conveniently applied to enhancing the surface integrity of the aluminium composites.However,there is an optimum laser specific energy,around 38 J/m^2 in this study,for obtaining the best surface integrity.

Effects of laser surface melting on crystallographic texture, microstructure, elastic modulus and hardness of Ti-30Nb-4Sn alloy

The biocompatibility of orthopedic implants is closely related to their elastic modulus and surface properties.The objective of this study was to determine the effects of cold rolling,recrystallization and laser surface melting(LSM)on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a biphase(α″+β)Ti-30Nb-4Sn alloy.X-ray diffraction(XRD)texture analysis of the cold-rolled substrate revealed the[302]α″//ND texture component,while analysis of the recrystallized substrate showed the[302]α″//ND and[110]α″//ND components.Theβ-phase texture could not be directly measured by XRD,but the presence of the[111]β//ND texture component was successfully predicted by considering the orientation relationship between theα″andβphases.Nanoindentation measurements showed that the elastic modulus of the cold-rolled substrate(63GPa)was lower than that of the recrystallized substrate(74GPa).Based on the available literature and the results presented here,it is suggested that this difference is caused by the introduction of crystal defects during cold deformation.The combined nanoindentation/EBSD analysis showed that the nanoindentation results are not affected by crystal orientation.LSM of the deformed alloy produced changes in hardness,elastic modulus and crystallographic texture similar to those produced by recrystallization heat treatment,creating a stiffness gradient between surface and substrate.

Corrosion and cavitation erosion resistance enhancement of cast Ni–Al bronze by laser surface melting

Laser surface melting (LSM) was applied on a cast Ni–Al bronze (NAB), which was a crucial material for marine ship propellers. A 720 μm-thick LSM layer with fine equiaxed and dendritic microstructures was obtained. After immersion for 30 days, the corrosion rate of cast NAB was reduced by 25% after LSM. Preferential corrosion occurred and deep corrosion pits appeared at α + κIII microstructure for the cast NAB. LSM NAB underwent general corrosion, and a much more protective film formed on the surface because of the homogenized microstructure. The mass loss of the cast NAB was approximately 2.1 times larger than that of LSM NAB after cavitation erosion (CE) in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for 5 h. For the two materials, the mechanical impact effect was dominantly responsible for CE damage. Therefore, the improved hardness and homogenized microstructure contributed to the improved CE resistance of LSM NAB. CE destructed the film, shifted the open circuit potential toward a more negative value, and raised the current density by an order of magnitude. Corrosion at the cast eutectoid microstructure and the dendrites of LSM NAB facilitates the degradation under the cavitation attack. CE-corrosion synergy was largely caused by corrosion-enhanced-CE.

Microstructure and surface texture driven improvement in in-vitro response of laser surface processed AZ31B magnesium alloy

The present work explored effects of laser surface melting on microstructure and surface topography evolution in AZ31B magnesium alloy.Thermokinetic effects experienced by the material during laser surface melting were simulated using a multiphysics finite element model.Microstructure and phase evolution were examined using scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,and electron back scatter diffraction.Surface topography was evaluated using white light interferometry.The interaction of surface melted samples with simulated body fluid was monitored by contact angle measurements and immersion studies up to 7 days.Laser surface melting led to formation of a refined microstructure with predominantly basal crystallographic texture.Concurrently,the amount ofβphase(Mg_(17)Al_(12))increased with an increase in the laser fluence.βphase preferentially decorated the cell boundaries.In terms of topography,the surface became progressively rougher with an increase in laser fluence.As a result,upon immersion in simulated body fluid,the laser surface melted samples showed an improved wettability,corrosion resistance,and precipitation of mineral having composition closer to the hydroxyapatite bone mineral compared to the untreated sample.

Corrosion resistance of pulsed laser modified AZ31 Mg alloy surfaces

The effect of laser surface melting on the corrosion resistance of AZ31 Mg alloy in 0.1 M NaCl solution was investigated using different laser processing conditions(energy densities of 14 and 17 J cm^(-2)).Laser treatment induced rough surfaces primarily composed of oxidized species of Mg.XPS analysis revealed that the surface concentration of Al increased significantly as a consequence of LSM.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the laser treatment remarkably increased the polarization resistance of the AZ31 Mg alloy and induced a passive-like region of about 100 mV,as determined by potentiodynamic polarization.Analysis of the results obtained provide solid evidence that within the immersion times used in this study,LSM treatment increased the corrosion resistance of AZ31 Mg alloy under open circuit conditions and anodic polarization.

Study on microstructure and properties of laser surface melted layer of AZ31B magnesium alloy

An attempt has been made to improve the surface properties of AZ31B magnesium alloy through solid solution hardening and refinement of microstructures using a CO2 laser as a heat generating source. X-ray diffraction （XRD） was used to identify the phases. Microstructure and properties of laser melted layer of AZ31B magnesium alloy were observed or tested by means of optical microscope （OM）, scanning electron microscope （SEM）, micro-hardness equipment and electrochemical corrosion equipment etc. The results show that the microstructure of laser melted layer becomes finer significantly and uniform. Compared with the substrate, the content of β-Mg17 Al12 phase of melted layer decreases comparatively. Microhardness of the laser melted layer is improved to 50 -95 HV0. 05 as compared to 40 -45 HV0.05 of the AZ31B Mg alloy substrate. The results of electrochemical corrosion show that the corrosion resistance of laser surface melted layer has been improved.

Laser Surface Modification of Lean-alloyed Austenitic Stainless Steel for Corrosion Resistance

In order to reduce the cost of the austenitic stainless steels(ASSs),the expensive austenite former(nickel) is often substituted by manganese.However,manganese is generally seen to have a detrimental effect on the corrosion resistance.In the present study,the feasibility of laser surface modification of a lean-alloyed ASS(FeCrMn) for enhancing pitting corrosion resistance was investigated.Laser surface modification of FeCrMn was successfully achieved by a 2.3 kW high power diode laser(HPDL).Cyclic polarization tests for FeCrMn after laser surface modification in 3.5% NaCl solution at 25 ℃ were performed by using a potentiostat.The pitting resistance of the laser-modified specimens was found to be significantly improved as reflected by the noble shift in pitting potential.This could be attributed to redistribution of manganese sulphide leading to a more homogenous and refined microstructure.Pitting corrosion resistance of the laser-treated FeCrMn followed by subsequent citric acid passivation was found to be further improved as reflected by the noble shift in pitting potential to 0.18 V.

EBSD Characterization of the Laser Remelted Surface Layers in a Commercially Pure Mg

Laser surface melting has been applied on a commercially pure Mg. The microstructure and texture modifications encountered in the surface layers were carefully investigated by using electron backscattered diffraction （EBSD） technique. Due to the melting followed by rapid solidification and cooling, a layer having graded microstructures and texture formed. At the bottom of the melted layer, the solidified Mg grains have an elongated shape with a 〈0001 〉 basal fibre texture nearly parallel to sample normal direction, while equiaxed grains were observed in the top melted layer having a much weaker basal fibre texture. Solidification twinning and deformation twinning were found in the vicinity of the melt/substrate interface where the Mg grains grow larger due to the heating. In addition, no epitaxial type grain growth was observed at the melt/substrate interface.