LASER GLAZING OF VACUUM PLASMA SPRAY COATED NARLOY-Z

A CO2 laser was used to modify the surface layer of vacuum plasma spra yed NARloy-Z (Cu-3 wt.%Ag-0.5 wt.%Zr). The laser glazing dramatically reduced voids and cavities originally present in the alloy matrix. In addition, grain boundary precipitates were eliminated. A highly refine d microstructure was obtained with extended solid solubility of solute atoms (Ag and Zr) into the matrix. A theoretical model was developed to predict the melt pool depth that occurred during laser glazing.