Excimer laser treatment of ZE41 magnesium alloy for corrosion resistance and microhardness improvement

A laser surface melting treatment (LSMT) was performed on a ZE41 Mg-alloy using an excimer KrF laser. The laser-melted layer depth depends on the laser scan speed. The morphology and the microstructure of the laser-melted surface were characterized, thanks to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The melted Mg-alloy presented a homogenous distribution of the alloying elements in the magnesium matrix. The laser surface melting treatment increased the microhardness of the ZE41 Mg-alloy and improved its corrosion resistance.