Crystallographic and morphological textures in laser surface modified alumina ceramic

Abstract

Laser surface modification is an advanced technique for improving the surface performance of alumina ceramics in refractory and abrasive machining applications. Surface performance is expected to be greatly influenced by the crystallographic and morphological textures of surface grains generated during rapid solidification associated with laser processing. In this study, an investigation of the evolution of crystallographic and morphological textures during laser surface modifications of alumina ceramic was carried out using a 4kW Nd:YAG laser with fluences in the range of 458–726J∕cm2. In these regimes of laser surface processing, the formation of equilibrium α-alumina was found to be assisted by catalytic sites provided by the substrate. Microstructure evolution was explored in terms of the development of crystallographic and morphological (size and shape) textures of surface grains as a function of laser processing parameters. The interdependence of crystallographic and morphological textures of the surface grains is discussed within the framework of faceted growth model suggesting that the formation of crystal shapes is governed by the relative velocities of certain crystallographic facets. Also, the effect of thermal aspects of laser processing on the morphology of the surface grains is discussed from the viewpoint of existing solidification theories.