| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1646319 | Materials Letters | 2012 | 4 Pages |
A High Power Diode Laser (HPDL) has been used to selectively melt one of the phases present in the microstructure of the surface of a magnesium–aluminium alloy (AZ91D). The intermetallic precipitates were molten and they dissolved some of the surrounding Mg. After laser treatment, a new microstructure with modified mechanical properties is obtained on the surface of the Mg-alloy. This methodology can be easily applied to many other systems.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► For the first time, a laser processing technique is proposed in which only one of the phases present in the microstructure of an alloy is molten. ► After laser treatment of the AZ91D Mg-alloy, the intermetallic precipitates formed were diluted while the Mg-matrix was unaffected. ► Nanoindentation evidences that the brittle phase is diluted and that the Mg-matrix was not softened. ► The new laser process allows modifying the properties of one phase in an alloy without modifying the others. ► Shape and size of the samples are not affected by this laser treatment.
