Laser assisted composite surfacing of materials for improved wear resistance

In the present study, a high power continuous wave CO2 laser has been used for development of titanium boride/diboride dispersed aluminium matrix composite on aluminium, a graded SiC dispersed α-Fe matrix composite on mild steel and TiN dispersed α-Ti matrix composite on Ti6Al4V. A detailed study of the microstructures and phases developed in the composite layer has been investigated and correlated with process parameters. A significant improvement in microhardness and wear resistance properties was recorded. The mechanism of properties improvement is discussed in detail.