Composition control in laser surface alloying

Abstract

Laser surface alloying, a process of growing interest for local surface modification, relies upon a suitable composition and microstructure for satisfactory on-the-job performance. This paper reports the results of an initial systematic study of laser surface alloying nickel onto AISI 1020 steel substrates using a statistical experimental design technique. The objective was to relate processing conditions to dimensions, solute content, and microstructural refinement of the laser alloyed zones. Solute content was of principal concern as it is the single most important factor affecting the properties of laser surface alloys. The effects of varying the laser power, beam diameter, and speed on the width, depth, nickel content, and fluctuations in nickel content are reported. Interactions between process parameters are discussed, the reproducibility assessed, contour plots for solute content drawn. Dimensionless plots are developed that relate average solute content and microstructural refinement to process parameters. Previously published data for alloying chromium into 1018 steels are shown to contain similar trends. It is felt that such an approach would facilitate selection of processing conditions to obtain reproducibly the compositions and microstructures necessary for gainful utilization of laser surface alloys.