SURFACE MODIFICATION OF METALS BY HIGH-POWER LASERS

Lasers are a powewful tool for the surface modification of metals in i mproving their corrosion and tribological properties. Due to their int rinsic characteristics, lasers can be focused onto metallic surfaces p roducing a broad range of treatments from heating to melting depending on the input energy. So, phase transformation on the surface of a bas e metal can be carried out to increase the surface hardness or claddin g or alloying to obtain new materials. Other applications such as lase r physical deposition (LPVD) or laser chemical deposition (LCVD) are a lso currently being carried out. In the present paper, a review of las er surface alloying and cladding on different base materials is given, focussing on the modification of the corrosion properties of metals a nd alloys for applications at low temperatures (electrochemical corros ion) and high temperatures (oxidation process). (C) 1998 Elsevier Scie nce S.A.