Laser surface alloying of molybdenum on aluminum for enhanced wear resistance

A continuous diode pumped ytterbium laser was used for alloying of molybdenum on Al 1100 to improve its wear resistance. Microstructural and phase analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Dry wear sliding studies using a pin on disk apparatus at room temperature under a constant normal load of 9 N indicated the increase in wear resistance of laser alloyed coatings. The enhancement in the wear resistance is mainly due to the presence of Al8Mo3 and Al5Mo intermetallic phases within the alloyed surface and their superior physical properties predicted by the first principle calculations.