Classification of laser beam induced surface engineering technologies and in situ synthesis of steel matrix surface nanocomposites

Abstract

A new classification of different laser beam induced surface engineering technologies is offered in this paper. An in situ laser melt injection technology is applied in this paper to modify the surface of an inexpensive carbon steel substrate. Relatively large WC+Ti particles were blown into a laser melt steel pool, and the desired (Ti,W)C carbide particles were precipitated upon cooling and solidification. Although these primary (Ti,W)C carbide particles were micrometre sized, additional nanosized (Fe,W)₆C particles were found to precipitate during the subsequent heat treatment from an oversaturated steel matrix. Thus, a steel matrix surface nanocomposite was produced by the combination of in situ laser melt injection technology and subsequent heat treatment.