Laser surface alloying of aluminium AA1200 was performed with a 4kW Nd:YAG laser and the impact resistance of the alloys was investigated. The alloying powders were a mixture of Ni, Ti and SiC in different proportions. Surfaces reinforced with intermetallic phases and metal matrix composites were achieved during laser alloying. Brittle fracture of the SiC particles and transgranular cracking of the intermetallic phases was observed for the laser alloyed samples, while ductile fracture was observed for the bulk aluminium. The aluminium metal absorbed more energy during fracture compared to the laser alloyed samples due to its high ductility. Laser alloyed layers with a high Ti content had high absorbed energies which represent a reduction in brittleness, while alloyed layers with a high Ni content had low absorbed energies which indicate a preference for brittle fracture.
Reference:
Mabhali, L.A.B,, Sacks, N. and Pityana, S. 2012. Impact toughness of laser surface alloyed Aluminium. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, pp 1-29
Mabhali, L. A., Sacks, N., & Pityana, S. L. (2012). Impact toughness of laser surface alloyed Aluminium. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6702
Mabhali, Luyolo AB, N Sacks, and Sisa L Pityana "Impact toughness of laser surface alloyed Aluminium." (2012) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6702
Mabhali LA, Sacks N, Pityana SL. Impact toughness of laser surface alloyed Aluminium. 2012; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6702.
Copyright: 2012 Elsevier. This is the Pre/post print version of the work. The definitive version is published in Journal of Materials Science & Technology, pp 1-29