OXIDATION AND CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF LASER-ALLOYED MILD-STEEL WITH CHROMIUM

The oxidation and corrosion of mild steel coated with chromium powder followed by laser treatment has been investigated. Chromium powder was deposited on mild steel surface using atmospheric plasma spraying. Th e chromium-coated surface was irradiated separately using a pulsed Nd: YAG laser and a continuous CO2 laser. The oxidation tests were carried out in air at 700 degrees C and anodic polarization tests in 1N H2SO4 solution. There was significant difference in the morphologies of the surface alloys formed using CO2 laser and Nd:YAG laser. Samples treat ed with CO2 laser showed better oxidation resistance whereas the surfa ce alloys formed using Nd:YAG laser showed-poor oxidation resistance. Anodic polarization tests carried out on samples laser-treated with CO 2 laser showed improved corrosion resistance.