Laser surface alloying on aluminum and its alloys: A review

• Published in: Optics and lasers in engineering Vol. 100; pp. 23 - 37
• Main Authors: Chi, Yiming, Gu, Guochao, Yu, Huijun, Chen, Chuanzhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2018
• Subjects: A review; Aluminum alloys; Laser alloying; Surface properties; Surface properties; Aluminum alloys; A review; Laser alloying
• ISSN: 0143-8166; 1873-0302
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2017.07.006

•The developments of various material systems on laser surface alloying on aluminum alloys are reviewed.•The influences of different processing parameters are discussed.•The microstructure and surface properties of alloyed layer are analyzed.•The existing problems and the corresponding solutions are elucidated and the future developments are predicted.
Aluminum and its alloys have been widely used in aerospace, automotive and transportation industries owing to their excellent properties such as high specific strength, good ductility and light weight. Surface modification is of crucial importance to the surface properties of aluminum and its alloys since high coefficient of friction, wear characteristics and low hardness have limited their long term performance. Laser surface alloying is one of the most effective methods of producing proper microstructure by means of non-equilibrium solidification which results from rapid heating and cooling. In this paper, the influence of different processing parameters, such as laser power and scanning velocity is discussed. The developments of various material systems including ceramics, metals or alloys, and metal matrix composites (MMCs) are reviewed. The microstructure, hardness, wear properties and other behaviors of laser treated layer are analyzed. Besides, the existing problems during laser surface treatment and the corresponding solutions are elucidated and the future developments are predicted.