Diode laser surface treatment of magnesium alloy AZ61

Abstract

This paper deals with the characterization of various aspects of laser melted magnesium alloy AZ61. A 1.5 kW diode laser was used to produce melt-tracks using a range of substrate traverse speed (10-30 mm/s) and laser power density (1-2.14 x 104 W/cm2). The effect of laser power density and substrate traverse speed on track dimensions was studied. Scanning electron microscope was used to identify the microstructures of laser-melted regions produced with different laser processing parameters. A new honeycomb type fine microstructures was obtained due to multidirectional high cooling rates associated with the laser processing. The grain size of the microstructures obtained was correlated with the cooling rates obtained with different processing parameters.This paper deals with the characterization of various aspects of laser melted magnesium alloy AZ61. A 1.5 kW diode laser was used to produce melt-tracks using a range of substrate traverse speed (10-30 mm/s) and laser power density (1-2.14 x 104 W/cm2). The effect of laser power density and substrate traverse speed on track dimensions was studied. Scanning electron microscope was used to identify the microstructures of laser-melted regions produced with different laser processing parameters. A new honeycomb type fine microstructures was obtained due to multidirectional high cooling rates associated with the laser processing. The grain size of the microstructures obtained was correlated with the cooling rates obtained with different processing parameters.