Surface microstructural characteristics and hardness of Cr-coated Zr702 sheet processed by pulsed laser

Abstract

Microstructural characteristics and hardness of Cr-coated Zr702 sheet after the laser surface treatment (LST) were characterized and investigated by combined use of electron backscatter diffraction, electron channeling contrast imaging, energy dispersive spectrometry and hardness measurement. Results show that after the LST processing at 100 W, three zones with different microstructural characteristics are presented from the surface to the matrix: melted zone (MZ), solid-state phase transformation zone (SSPTZ) and matrix. Surface alloying with Cr occurs in the MZ, leading to the formation of a large number of discontinuous netlike ZrCr2 Laves phases. The SSPTZ is comprised of untransformed bulk α grains with internal substructures and fine martensitic plates. The appearance of such substructures can be attributed to dislocation movements induced by thermal stresses while the martensitic plates result from rapid β→α transformation induced by the pulsed laser. Hardness measurements show that the LST can remarkably increase surface hardness (by ~110%) of the Cr-coated Zr702 sheet, which can be ascribed to strengthening/hardening effects by solid solution of Cr, the formation of dense second phases and significant grain refinement.