Surface vitrification of alloys by laser surface treatment

► Amorphous surfaces were synthesized by laser surface treatment for Zr- and Cu-based alloys. ► Influences of GFA of alloys and laser processing parameters on glass formation were studied. ► The laser surface treated Cu60Zr30Ti10 alloy exhibited a gradient structure. ► Temperature distributions and thermal profiles during the laser process were simulated. ► The formation mechanism of the gradient structure is clarified.